All countries and regions in the world should work closely to enhance cooperation and exchanges in the tourism industry so as to overcome existing difficulties and realize wide exchanges and communication among citizens, Hayao Hora, vice minister of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry of Japan, said Wednesday.

Hora said that when an international crisis occurs, it is important to eliminate the anxieties and concerns of travelers and encourage them to continue traveling overseas. He urged the establishment of an information sharing system on tourism to exchange information on ensuring travelers' safety and sanitation.

He said it is also significant to ensure swift exchange and sharing of accurate information on crisis management, expressing the hope that the World Tourism Organization (WTO) will play a major role in realizing this target.

Hora noted an effective way of stimulating tourism demand when an international crisis occurs is that neighboring countries work together in implementing tourism promotion measures.

He said Japan Hopes the United Nations to launch the International Year of Tourism to further promote international cooperation in tourism.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2003)