MADRID, Implementation of the emergency plan to assist the tourism industries of countries ravaged by the 26 December tsunami will be the main focus of the World Tourism Organization at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin which started yesterday.

Two high-level meetings on tsunami recovery held on 10 March, the day before the official opening of ITB.

The second meeting of the WTO Emergency Task Force will evaluate the Phuket Action Plan, which was adopted at a special session of the World Tourism Organization Executive Council held on the Thai island on 1 February 2005.

This will be followed by a meeting with industry leaders to encourage further cooperation from the private sector.

According to WTO member and Secretary to the Minister of Tourism Dr. Pratap Ramunujam the WTO were to announce their future plans and as to how they would be assisting the tsunami hit countries including Sri Lanka. "We are anticipating financial and technical assistance for training and adopting new marketing methods," he said.

Ramunujam would also attend Industry Leadership Forum held to discus various issues pertaining to global tourism tlater on Thursday night.

"This would be attended by representatives allover the world. "The subject of sex abuse to children from tourism would also be discussed," he said.

According to veteran hotlelier And Secretary General Chamber of Commerce, Prema Cooray the ITB is being held at a time when European tourist are making their plans for the forth coming winter and selecting their destinations to travel.