One of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MoTC) guests to the celebration of the Gambia’s 47th Independence Anniversary which took place on Saturday, 18th February 2012 nationwide was Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

In an opening remarks delivered by Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, Minister of Tourism and Culture, she described the Secretary General as a dynamic Secretary General who is actively involved in policy making and developing investment strategies in his capacity as Director General of the Investment Promotion Corporation (IPC) in Jordan. The profile of this dynamic man in brief, is as follow.

Dr Taleb Rifai began his career as Professor of Architecture, Planning and Urban Design at the University of Jordan. He received his Ph.D. in Urban Design and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia – USA and MSc. In Engineering and Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago – USA. He also attained a BSc in Architectural Engineering from the University of Cairo.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary General of UNWTO in 2009, Dr Rifai served in several ministerial portfolios in the government of Jordan as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Minister of Information and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. In addition during his term as Minister of Tourism, Dr Rifai served as Chairman of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organisation.