MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

APEC tourism summit in Punta Arenas.

Delegations from eighteen Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, members plus representatives from four world tourism organizations will be participating this week in the most important ever tourism summit to be held in Punta Arenas.

Over 120 ministers, ambassadors, delegates and chairmen from the World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council, Pacific Islands forum and APEC' International Centre for Sustainable Tourism will be holding meetings and work sessions, both on land and sea, which will end with an official "Declaration of Patagonia" in support of a sustainable tourism industry.

Officially known as the Third APEC Tourism ministers meeting and the XXV meeting of APEC Work Group, most delegates are expected this Tuesday which begins with a typical Magallanes barbecue in an estancia close to Punta Arenas.

Late in the evening delegates will board the recently refurbished Chilean cruise vessel "Mare Australis" which escorted by a Chilean Navy frigate, will sail the Magellan Strait, Cape Horn and enjoy an official meeting photo session next to the Gunther Plushow glacier.

Wednesday morning delegates are scheduled to hold their first private meeting at sea and early Thursday will be back in Punta Arenas for the official opening of the third APEC Tourism ministers meeting. Conclusions and closing session will be made public during the afternoon.

However those delegates that wish to stay on Friday will have the option of visiting Torres del Paine natural Park of fly to Antarctica, weather permitting.

An interesting sideline about the APEC meeting is that since several country members profess the Islamic religion, the Nogueira Hotel set up a special room for delegates to pray. The hotel is hosting besides United States, delegations from Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, all Islamic countries.

APEC has 21 members - referred to as "Member Economies" - which account for more than a third of the world's population (2.6 billion people), approximately 60% of world GDP (US$19, 254 billion) and about 47% of world trade. It also proudly represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth in its first 10 years.

APEC's 21 Member Economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.

The only countries not present at the Punta Arenas gathering are Japan and Papua New Guinea.