The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, has appointed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass as an ambassador for world tourism, during a ceremony held by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, in the Golden Hall of Manial Palace following the end of the Golden Parade event.
This is the first time that an Egyptian has been appointed to this position, and makes Hawass responsible for encouraging tourism not only to Egypt, but to the whole world.
In a Sunday statement Hawass said that “This appointment is a great honor for me and my country, Egypt. It came after the royal show of mummies that dazzled the whole world ended.”
Hawass thanked President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his interest in the Egyptian heritage and civilization, stressing that his presence during the royal parade proved that the Egyptian civilization does not concern Egypt only, but rather the whole world.
The ceremony was held to honor the Secretary General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova and Pololikashvili.
