International tour body head named Seoul honorary citizen

Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), gives the opening speech at the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

The chief of the United Nations' tourism body has been made an honorary citizen of Seoul.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Thursday, Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has been awarded honorary citizenship of the city.

Pololikashvili, who visited Seoul earlier this week for the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism, was awarded honorary citizenship from Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Monday. The summit _ the largest event in the global tourism industry _ took place from Sunday to Wednesday, making Seoul the first city in Northeast Asia to host the annual conference.

Pololikashvili from Georgia in the former Soviet Union was elected in May last year as the organization's 22nd secretary-general and his four-year tenure began this year.

The UNWTO, established in 1975, is in charge of leading international organizations in tourism and provides leadership and support in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Its headquarters is in Madrid, Spain, and its membership includes 157 countries. The Korea Tourism Organization and the Seoul Tourism Organization are its affiliate members.

Pololikashvili is the first Georgian to become an honorary Seoul citizen.

Since 1958, the city government has granted honorary citizenship to foreign guests or non-Koreans who contributed to the city administration, and the UNWTO chief has become the 798th honorary citizen. The city is expected to appoint its 800th honorary citizen within this year.

“Given the UNWTO is working on the global code of ethics for tourism and sustainable development in tourism, its secretary-general receiving honorary citizenship means Seoul treats every single foreign visitor as its citizen,” the mayor said.

Notable honorary citizens, among others, include Chinese actor and long-time fan of Korean culture Jackie Chan; Guus Hiddink, a Dutch football manager who led the national team to the 2002 World Cup semifinals; Hines Ward, a former American football player of Korean descent; Michael Sandel, the author of “Justice”; and Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee.