The World Tourism Organization (UN) changed its acronym to UNWTO on Thursday to end confusion between the two WTOs – World Tourism Organization and the Geneva-based World Trade Organization.
The confusion ended officially when the General Assembly of World Tourism Organization on Thursday approved to add the letters UN (for United Nations) to the start of acronym of the leading international tourism body in English and in Russian.
A press statement issued by UNWTO Press and Communications department said, the problem – especially for the media – arose when the name World Trade Organization was adopted and with it the acronym WTO in English, a problem that did not arise in other languages where ‘trade’ translated as ‘commerce’ and it became the OMC.
“Various suggestions were put forward, including attaching the French or Spanish acronym to the English to make WTO/OMT, or follow the practice used by the United Nations Secretariat which refers to WTO (Trade) and WTO (Tourism),” the release quoted Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli as saying.
“When we approached the other WTO with our proposal they informed us they would be very grateful if we changed our acronym, thus freeing both organizations from the frequent confusion,” added Mr Frangialli.
The official go-ahead was given in January when UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave his consent to adding the United Nations’ initials, and the modification was approved by the Executive Council in June.