World Tourism Network (WTN) confirmed Arwin Sharma from Kuala Lumpur to become the next Chairman of the WTN Malaysia Chapter.

The Current Chair Rudolf Herrmann, who is based in Penang will remain on the Chapter board to become the vice chair of the chapter.

With more than 19000 members and observers that represent a wide spectrum of small and medium-sized travel and tourism businesses in 133 countries, World Tourism Network has been gradually gaining momentum in the travel and tourism industry since its official launch on January 1, 2021.

Arwin Sharma is a Malaysian citizen who has spent the last 35 years in the travel & tourism Industry.

He is currently at the helm of the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization and is working with Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Tourism Organizations (comprising of ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Destination Mekong (DM), Indian Ocean Tourism Organization (IOTO) & South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) and World Social Entrepreneurs Organization.

In forming a new partnership between the World Tourism Network and the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization Arwin noted:

“Member States & Island Nations with the propensity to accelerate business, commerce, trade, social entrepreneurship, travel & tourism, while building ecosystems for accompanying economic clusters within the industry aiding the economic, environment, human and social developments must propel the direction of tourism from its conventional practices, and World Tourism Network similarly shares this approach for SME’s.”

WTN founder and Chairman Juergen Steinmetz commented: “Malaysia is an important player in the global travel and tourism industry and within the ASEAN community of countries. SMEs are playing a huge role in the Malaysian tourism landscape. In teaming up with the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization, WTN will do what it knows best – building global networks and communication channels within our sector.

“Arwin has a global mindset important for global leaders within our sector.

“Therefore it’s indeed an honor that Arwin is now appointed as the Chair for the World Tourism Network Malaysia Chapter, and a colossal upcoming initiative integrating World Tourism Network Country Chapters in ASEAN & across SIDS.

“It remains the initial strategy as the development of a legitimate World Tourism Development Bank with World Tourism Network’s collaboration and partnership. It remains the next BIG Tourism chapter. ”

“We’re already discussing a significant partnership with our very active Indonesian chapter and our upcoming TIME 2024 global summit.”

“At the same time “, Steinmetz added, “I like to thank our outgoing Chair Rudolf Hermann for his dedication to staying on as a vice chair. Rudolf, because of his dedication since WTN started in 2020, was able to build our LinkedIn Sustainable Tourism Network with 18,000 members and the LinkedIn Sustainable Muslim Tourism Network with close to 800 members. Because of his hard work, this became one of the largest and most important travel industry discussions on the LinkedIn platform.”

In an advisory and consultancy role, Arwin has previously been commissioned and engaged within the Governments of Belize, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam & Zanzibar.

Malaysia, a fascinating yet magnificent country with a vibrant multicultural population, occupies the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo.

The country’s evolution into a cultural melting pot is evident in its unique blend of religions, traditions, festivities, languages, and rich gastronomic palates, identifying its cuisine, food, and gastronomy as a wonder of the world!

Its cultural diversity can also be largely attributed to the country’s long and ongoing interactions with the world and colonial rule by the Portuguese, Dutch & British.

Malaysia truly embodies the spirit of racial diversity and unity, which is the very element developing its global marketing campaign as “Malaysia Truly Asia” captivating audiences, markets & visitors from every corner of the globe.