During a recent World Tourism Organization (WTO) meeting in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, the world’s top tourism authority vocally gave his strong support to Iguazu Falls, one of the elite 28 Official Finalists in the global, one-billion-vote campaign to choose the Official New7Wonders of Nature. Secretary-General of the WTO Taleb Rifai said: “we want to join the crusade to make the Falls one of the [New7Wonders of Nature]. We believe this will serve not only to increase tourism in the region but also to preserve the environment and biodiversity.”

With 28 Official Finalists from 37 countries around the world, other participants are now demanding that their own campaign is backed by the WTO, in communications made via their official representatives. Noting this, Tia B. Viering, Head of Communications for New7Wonders, says “It’s a good thing that Mr. Rifai has 7 votes to choose 7 wonders, as his endorsement is now in high demand – the question is which are the other 6 that he will choose?”

Media reports about the WTO meeting note that recent studies show sites involved in a New7Wonders campaign benefitting from a rise of between 50% and 75% in the number of visitors. These studies also show that more than $5 billion in additional tourism-related revenue and brand awareness has been generate to date by the New7Wonders campaigns.