Havana, Cuba.-The tourist field begins 2017 with the challenge of promoting sustainability. After a dynamic year 2016, tourism has a great challenge in living the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, such declared by the United Nations.

General secretary of the International Tourism Organization (WTO) said that joint work should be carried out to maximize the contribution of tourism to economic growth, social inclusion, conservation of the environment and cultural heritage and mutual understanding.

WTO gives great importance to the UN decision at a time when the international community has ahead the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Tourism is included in three of the SDGs: the 8th that seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all, the 12th related to sustainable consumption and production and the 14th focused on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and maritime resources for sustainable development.

Rifai said that tourism has shown its extraordinary strength and resistance despite the innumerable challenges that have affected this field, particularly security.