TUNIS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia said on Thursday that it has officially applied for a seat in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council.

The UNWTO general secretary Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the Tunisian proposal to serve on the executive board of the organization, according to a statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts.

"Obtaining a seat within this organization will certainly improve the performance of the tourism sector in many ways, including the quality of services, benefits and a better level of training," said Rene Trabelsi, minister of Tourism and Handicrafts.

Tunisia aims to attract no fewer than 9 million tourists this season, Trabelsi added.

For his part, Pololikashvili, according to the statement, said UNWTO and Tunisia have established a cooperation program, adding that Tunisia records the best growth in Africa as the tourist destination.