Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The South African Government wishes to announce that the name of Dr DJ (Dawid) de Villiers, Member of the South African Parliament and recent Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, has been submitted to the World Tourism Organisation as candidate for the vacant post of Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation.
At a time when the tourism industry world-wide is facing many new and formidable challenges, Dr De Villiers is well qualified and experienced to make a valuable contribution towards the development of the industry and the necessary repositioning of the World Tourism Organisation in the new world order. He has broad experience of tourism and recently served as Minister of Tourism in the Cabinet of President Mandela. The White Paper on the future of tourism, which was published in 1996 under his guidance, is regarded as a watershed document for tourism in the New South Africa. Dr De Villiers' environmental background and problem-solving skills stand him in good stead at a time when the World Tourism Organisation will have to provide leadership and direction on important issues, such as the sustainable development of tourism.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 7 MAY 1997