UNWTO condemns Brussels attacks

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is based in the Spanish capital of Madrid, issued a communique condemning the attacks which left at least 34 people dead in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Tuesday morning.

"UNWTO is deeply shocked by the tragic attacks perpetrated in Brussels. On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to the Belgian people at this difficult moment," read the statement.

Meanwhile, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai said the attack was "not an attack on Belgium. It is an attack on us all and sadly these tragic events remind us again that we are facing a global threat which must be addressed globally."

"On the behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the government of Belgium," he added.

Rifai and the UNWTO have continually stressed the importance of international tourism as a sustainable development tool for economic growth. Tuesday's declarations echoed those he made on the eve of the FITUR Tourism Exhibition in Madrid in January.

Two months ago, Rifai commented that in the face of terrorism, the "international community has to work together sharing intelligence and good practices. "

He said that although there is a need for vigilance, people cannot "allow panic to get into hearts, because that is what the forces of darkness want us to do." Endit