Dear IFTTA Friends,
In his song 'Happy Christmas', which was released in December 1971, John Lennon sang:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Indeed, each and every year, around Christmas-time, most people do not only wonder, but also reflect on what they did in the past year. We can assure you that we belong to those people. When considering what this year has brought for IFTTA, we think - among other things - of the continuing cooperation with UNWTO, the succesful and fruitful World conference in Sao Paulo and Ilha Bela, so perfectly organised by Maria Goretti and Wyllem, and the enthusiasm of the Brazilian members to give the IFTTA World Conference a follow-up by creating a Brazilian IFTTA-chapter.
However, we should bear in mind that IFTTA cannot afford to sit and lean back. Like in the past, it is only a firm and true cooperation as well as team spirit irrespective of religion, race or whatever background, be it among the members, within the several Committees or within the Board, that can help IFTTA to pursue its objectives and to meet without any fear the possible challenges that it will certainly come across. It is that cooperation and spirit that enabled IFTTA to indeed continue to further develop and modernize its organisation and its Website, which nowadays is a conditio sine qua non for effective and efficient communication, as well as to undertake new initiatives in respect of, for instance, education in tourism and travel law. We feel that it are these values that should serve as the light which is to be followed when attempting to achieve IFTTA's aims and objectives and it is therefore that we say to all our IFTTA Friends, again along with that famous John Lennon-song:
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
and that we may meet again in good health at one of the regional IFTTA-meetings and in any event at the 22nd World Conference in Rome, in September 2010!
Michael Wukoschitz & Harry Manuel
IFTTA Co-Presidents
