Originated for the International Congress of Official Traffic Associations, the World Tourism Organization is a United Nations agency that deals with tourism related issues. As of 2005, its membership included more than 350 affiliate members, 145 countries, and 7 territories and representing educational institutions, private sector, and tourists associations. The UNWTO is located in Madrid, Spain.

Launched in 1995, Air Highways Magazine emerged as a result of the publishing of a series of travel maps displaying diverse models of transportation. Thousands of copies of the magazine were distributed by the company's customers Avis Rent A Car and Best Western Hotels to their clients in North America. This resulted in the assignment by Canada's Government to create a supermap of air routes, as travelers were interested in how to get to various destinations in fast and convenient manner.

The most famous American hotels have gained their reputation and renown by hosting some important events and celebrities and providing top quality services. Many hotels have entered into the consciousness by popular culture and are also frequented by celebrities. To these belong such famous hotels as the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Chateau Mountain in California and the Plaza Hotel and the Hotel Chelsea and many more hotels.

Created in 1987 as a Risk Purchasing Group by the management professionals and resort hotel owners, the Association of Hotels and Resorts is a non-profit insurance association, specializing in insurance programs designed specifically to face the challenges and cover risks unique to historic and luxury resorts, spas and independent destinations. It was established as a response to rates increase and insurance availability reduction by the constricted insurance market.

Formed in Chicago in 1936 by a group of 14 airlines, the ATA - better known as the Air Transport Association -- was the first and remains today the only organization of the largest US airlines. It is headquartered in Washington, DC. Since its foundation the company has been an important player in all major government decisions concerning aviation, including airline deregulation, the establishment of the Civil Aeronautics Board and creation of the air traffic control system.

Launched in 1995, Air Highways Magazine emerged as a result of the publishing of a series of travel maps displaying diverse models of transportation. Thousands of copies of the magazine were distributed by the company's customers Avis Rent A Car and Best Western Hotels to their clients in North America. This resulted in the assignment by Canada's Government to create a supermap of air routes, as travelers were interested in how to get to various destinations in fast and convenient manner.

TINET is the US national tourism office for policy issues and research established in the early 1980s. As part of the US Department of Commerce, it is responsible for developing, collecting and reporting on the statistical and market research on the international travel to promote planning in private and public sectors. Since 1985, TINET has been working with CIC Research to manage one of the research programs presented by the former - the Survey of International Air Travelers.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is the forum for facilitating economic growth, trade, investment and co-operation in the Asia Pacific region. It is the world's only intergovernmental grouping that operates on the basis of open dialogue, non-binding commitments and respect for the views of all members, as well as operator of its own tourism information network. The organization's 21 members account for about 47% of world trade, 56% of world GDP, and 40% of the world population.

Created in 1996 with the aim of promoting the international discussion about major information technologies in the travel and tourism industry, the International Federation for Information Technologies and Travel and Tourism, commonly referred to as IFITT, is the leading global community for the development, discussion and exchange of knowledge about use and impact of new ICTs in the travel and tourism industry. One of the most important parts of IFITT is the IFITT workshop.

Dedicated to internationally dedicated business activities, the Chambers of Commerce Network, also known as WCN, is your key to being a prosperous business in the 21st century. It provides a platform from the chamber's best business exchange and fosters a comprehensive business information exchange on a wide range of issues such as services products, markets, resources, and technology.

Created in 1949 under UNESCO, the International Sociological Association, commonly referred to as ISA, is a non-profit body, dedicated to scientific-related purposes in the field of social sciences. Today as ever it is committed to carrying out its mission: to represent sociologists in every field of sociology, irrespective of their ideological opinion, scientific approaches and school of thought. Currently the Association is composed of members from 109 countries worldwide.

While the cultural, social, economic and political dimensions of tourism have been already set in the Vienna Charter, the World Tourism Organization has confirmed in its Manila Declaration the mission and objectives of social tourism, which can be defined as following: to make tourist leisure accessible to the majority, including youth, families and elderly people, by providing an exceptional economic opportunity. The concept of social tourism then covers all these topics and more.

Following the urgent need to conserve endangered wildlife and protect unique places around the globe, a number of wildlife conservation organizations were established to develop, support and fund the next generation of independent and innovative conservationists, capable of creating new strategies for preserving endangered wildlife. One of such organizations, the ITWS or Indian Tiger Welfare Society is an India based welfare organization created to protect tigers and cat breeds.

Taking into consideration the fact that the tiger population has dropped from 100,000 in 1900 to 4,000 in the early 1970s, and the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly, serious actions are required on part of wildlife protection groups and wildlife conservation organizations that would halt rapid disappearance and decline of tigers in India and other locations worldwide. The productive operation of such organization has resulted in the tiger population growing to nearly 6,000 at the turn of the century.

With its beautiful coastline, spectacular landscape, magnificent mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, valleys and lakes, Iceland is a land of fascinating beauty boasting contrasting scenery that range from the wilderness areas to towering mountains. However, wilderness is here never far from civilization, which is best seen in Reykjavik, with two salmon fishing rivers flowing within the city limits. One thing is certain; you can experience great adventures during Iceland travel!

Maintained by the American Hotel and Motel Association, the Hospitality Industry Technology Integration Standards Project, commonly known by its acronym HITIS, aims at creating computer interfacing standards that will lower automation costs and increase technology usage of the hospitality industry. When applied to the tourism and hospitality industry, The HITIS Project and its related technologies provide a range of compelling business solutions.

The South Pacific Tourism Organization or SPTO and known formerly as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, is the inter-governmental organization for the tourism sector in the South Pacific, whose members comprise the Pacific Island nations of the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu. The organization's members are offered a variety of services that cover the areas of marketing, research, planning and policy.

According to Manila Declaration of the World Tourism Organization, social tourism is the aim that must be pursued by the society for citizens who have no access to the right to rest and relaxation. The Bureau International du Tourisme Social, known by its acronym BITS, was established to promote the right to holidays, leisure and tourism. One of its prime postulates is Tourism for All, realized by professor at the Department of Urban Studies and Tourism, Louis Jolin.

Regardless of the territory on which they are situated, World Heritage Sites are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration that belong to all peoples in the world. Such diverse and unique places as the Pyramids of Egypt, the wilds of Serengeti in East Africa, the Baroque Cathedrals in Latin America and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are just some of the sites that make up the list of World Heritage cities, adopted by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

An international non-profit organization, the Organization of World Heritage Cities was established in September 1993 in Morocco, to assist its member cities in improving their management methods in issues related to the specific requirements of the UNESCO World Heritage List. As of 2001, OWHC was comprised of 208 member cities, 123 of which are located in North America and Europe, 36 in Latin America, 22 in the Arab States, 20 in Asia and the Pacific and 7 in Africa. Currently the organization also has four observer members.

Rating currently with the biggest and fastest growing industries across the globe, the hospitality industry is dedicated to fostering the development of many interconnected sectors, from lodging options and recreational activities to rental cars and food services. Each of these sectors works in tandem with transportation and airline industries, bringing travelers to top destinations, where they spend money on these goods and services. So really, just what do you know about hospitality directors?

Established in 1946, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association is the only international trade organization, dedicated to promotion of the hotel and restaurant industry's interests all over the world. It is a non-profit organization, whose goal is to assist members in achieving their business objectives on global stage. Recognized officially by the United Nations, the International Hotel Association monitors international agencies on behalf of the industry.

Contrary to what many people may think, Iceland is a vibrant country that has an array of diverse opportunities to offer to its every visitor. Where else will you be offered such nature wonders as magnificent waterfalls, tremendous icecaps, a number of glaciers and geysers, dormant volcanoes and raging rivers among other great surprises? Regardless of the time you are visiting the country, the spectacular landscape, rich cultural heritage and warmth shown by the local people will make your stay as pleasant as possible. The country owes a lot to the efforts of Iceland tourism.

Established in 1986 at the Geneva meeting with the aim of promoting family farms and rural communities across the globe, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy pursues a number of goals and activities through advocacy, technology and science, and education and research. The apparent mission of the organization in addition to IATP activities is the criticism of the industrial agriculture in general and the food industry in particular.

Following the growing demand for a body capable of preventing the crisis and saving family farms, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy or IATP was established in 1986 as a non-profit organization, whose mission was to foster sustainable rural communities and regions. Shortly after its incorporation, IATP started examining causes of the rural crisis in America and setting policies that would be beneficial to farmers, rural communities and consumers.