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MEXICO CITY RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FROM CED FOR APPLYING THE SMED RECOMMENDATIONS 

MONTREAL, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011 – The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED) delivered today a certificate of recognition to the Minister of Tourism of Mexico City Mr. Alejandro Rojas Díaz-Durán for the accomplishment of 75% of the recommendations suggested in the official report of the System of Measures for Excellence in Destinations (SMED) to that city in 2008. 

During the ceremony of delivery within the “Feria Internacional de Turismo de las Américas” FITA, Mr. André Vallerand, Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), emphasized the work accomplished by the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Alejandro Rojas, who has positioned the City as the first tourism destination in Mexico, even though hard episodes like the H1N1 crisis in 2009.

“The Ministry attracted during the last four years more international tourists through its great infrastructure, traditions, culture, archaeology and specially the friendliness of Mexico City´s inhabitants” Added André Vallerand. “The capital of Mexico was the first urban destination worldwide to be evaluated by the CED and ever since the team of the Ministry of Tourism began with the application of the recommendations contained in the SMED report, this is the reason why the City obtained this recognition” concluded Mr. André Vallerand.

“We asked to be evaluated three years ago, the methodology of evaluation makes a deep analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the destinations and finally gives a number of recommendations. The perfect example is that in 2008 CED recommended to create an international tourism event, after working in the conception and organization, FITA was finally launched in 2010” Declared Mr. Alejandro Rojas, Minister of Tourism of Mexico City.

The SMED is an evaluation tool developed by the CED that aims to identify the different levels of performance of a tourist destination, propose recommendations for improvement and increased competitiveness, and facilitate the integration of the destination in an international network of tourist destinations of excellence.

About the CED

With its headquarters located in Montréal, the CED began operations in February 2007. The CED is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and creation of tools to support the development of sustainable tourism for destinations around the world. The CED was created with the support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the National Geographic Society. For further information, please visit the CED website at: www.ced.travel

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Source:                    World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED)

Media: Nathalie Laberinto, World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED)
(+1) 514-871-1115 Ext. 226
nlaberinto@ced.travel

SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WORLD CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR DESTINATIONS (CED) AND CÔTE-NORD

Sept-Îles, August 17, 2011 – The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED) announced today the signing of an important agreement with eight partners of Côte-Nord, with the goal of implementing its System of Measures for Excellence in Destinations in this north-western Québec destination. 

This agreement was officially confirmed today by Mr. Julien Boudreau, President of the Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) of Côte-Nord, and Mr. André Vallerand, President of the CED, in the presence of the presidents of Tourisme Côte-Nord/Manicouagan and of Tourisme Duplessis, as well as representatives of the Côte-Nord CLD and  Dr. César Castañeda Vázquez del Mercado, Director of operations of the CED.

This agreement aims to establish a tourism profile of the Côte-Nord region, to assist it in gauging itself to face international competition, while facilitating the attainment of its objectives in sustainable development. The System of Measures for Excellence in Destinations (SMED) also aims to improve the quality of the experience offered to tourists and to strengthen the geographical character of a region as a tourist destination (environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, well-being of the residents, etc.) while strategically identifying major issues facing tourist destinations around the world.

“This agreement with Côte-Nord is the third in Canada. Côte-Nord is a large region with unique features. The CED will make its expertise available in the region, to contribute to the development of this important tourist region of Québec,” said André Vallerand, President of the CED. To date, more than a dozen destinations in the world have already been evaluated by the SMED. Several others have expressed interest in reaching an agreement with the CED.

The Côte-Nord region will benefit from an external expertise to take an objective look at the tourism industry in the region thus allowing for the direction for future developments. This is a first step in developing a regional tourism strategy. This approach relies on the contribution of tourism and economic stakeholders who will, by their actions, play an important role in the development of this beautiful industry”, declared Mr. Julien Boudreau. The development of tourism in Côte-Nord is a collective project that involves the entire population, taking role as ambassadors.”

With its headquarters located in Montréal, the CED began operations in February 2007. The CED has signed partnership agreements with Canada Economic Development for the Quebec regions, the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec and the Ministère des Affaires Municipales et des Régions du Québec.

About the CED

The CED is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and creation of tools to support the development of sustainable tourism for destinations around the world. In performing its mission, the CED executes and further develops the tasks of the Destinations Council and other departments of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It does so by adding value and expertise to the policies and innovative practices concerning tourist destination management. The UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 153 member states and some 300 associate members from the tourism industry.

About the regional partners

La Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) of Côte-Nord is a privileged partner of the Government of Québec for all matters relating to regional development. Its mandate is to consult stakeholders in the region, to provide advice to the government and to elaborate a five-year development plan. Its mission is to defend and promote the interests of Côte-Nord.

CLDs are organizations that promote the economic development of their MRC by providing developers tools and services tailored to their needs in order to support local development and entrepreneurship.

Regional tourism associations are organizations that act as interlocutors with the government of Quebec and Tourism Quebec for regional cooperation in information and welcome, signage, promotion and tourism development.

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Source:             Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ) of Côte-Nord

Ms. Valérie Quimper, Manager, Regional Development

(+1) 418.962.0272

valerie.quimper@crecotenord.qc.ca

Information:     World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED)

Media: Ms. Nathalie Laberinto – CED

(+1) 514.871.1115 (ext. 226)

nlaberinto@ced.travel

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO, 28 and 29 APRIL 2011

The first meeting of experts and researchers on tourism in the Arab world took place on April 28th and 29th in Marrakech in Morocco. This meeting was organized by CIFORT and the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences at the University Cadi Ayyad in collaboration with the World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED). Twenty-three people from 12 countries (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt, France, Morocco, Netherlands, Qatar, Switzerland, Tunisia and Yemen) attended.

MADRID, SPAIN, 31 MARCH 2011

Mountain resort professionals, from the Alps to the Rockies, as well as Asian destinations including  the Republic of  Korea, will debate how snow and mountain destinations can respond to current and future challenges, while remaining competitive and sustainable, at the 7th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism (Grenoble, France, 28-29 April 2011).