In a letter to the Chilean tourism authorities, the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, conveyed the Organization’s “solidarity with the people of Chile” after the earthquake that hit Chile on 27 February. Through its Regional Representation for the Americas, “UNWTO will deal extensively with the issue of natural disasters”, he added. Mr. Rifai underscored his conviction that Chile “will be able to recover and return to the path of growth and wellbeing it has experienced in the past”.Source: UNWTO press release of March 1, 2010