With its entry into the WTO, MAPFRE will through its MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Unit reinforce its presence in the major international tourism forums.
The Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) has accepted MAPFRE as an Affiliate Member of the entity. Membership of this international organism signifies a major recognition for the international task of implementation, commitment and development of sustainable, ethical and socially responsible tourism that MAPFRE carries out worldwide through its MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Unit.
The appointment will be ratified at the next General Assembly of the WTO, to be held next August at Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This will make MAPFRE the first insurance and travel assistance company to form part of the organisation.
With its entry into the WTO, MAPFRE will through its MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Unit reinforce its presence in the major international tourism forums. It will boost the implementation of travel insurance schemes, as well as specific products that meet world tourism needs and contribute towards the economic growth and wellbeing of the societies in which it operates. MAPFRE, as an affiliate member of the WTO, will participate in electing the Management Board, the body that approves the organisation’s annual working plan. It will also gain access to the global network of tourism organisations that belong to the WTO, thereby allowing it to share its experience, know how, innovations and good practice for the responsible and competitive development of the world tourism sector.
The WTO is the body that reports to the United Nations and is entrusted with encouraging responsible and sustainable tourism available to all. It is the main international institution in this sector and is currently made up of 156 member states and more than 400 private-sector affiliate members that collaborate in promoting policies and resources for developing tourism throughout the world.
MAPFRE ASISTENCIA, a MAPFRE company that is leader in Assistance Schemes, Travel Insurance and Special Risk insurance, offers its clients comprehensive solutions in four main sectors: insurance, automobile, finance, and travel and tourism. With a direct presence in 43 countries and over 1,550 corporate clients, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA operates worldwide, with 198 million people benefitting from its services.
MAPFRE is a multinational insurance group that carries out its work in more than 46 countries on all five continents. Leader in the Spanish market and the Non-Life market in Latin America, it holds sixth position in that same branch in Europe. MAPFRE has nearly 35,500 employees and 23 million clients worldwide. In 2012 it obtained a net profit of 665 million euros and income of more than 25,000 million. MAPFRE is officially listed on the Madrid and Barcelona stock exchanges and forms part of the IBEX 35.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
