UNWTO and the Comunidad de Madrid have reunited 18 experts from all around the world to share ideas, debate and explore the challenges and trends of cultural tourism. The meeting focused on the strategic management of cultural resources for the destinations, including the challenge of managing tourist flows through different routes or combined products. Experts also…
UNWTO: Education and investments are cornerstones to transform tourism
Tourism leaders from every global region have met to advance plans to transform the sector against a backdrop of challenges old and new. UNWTO convened its Executive Council in Marrakesh, Morocco, as the sector’s recovery continues to gather pace. Welcoming 16 Ministers of Tourism and delegations from 36 countries, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili underscored that “the…
UNWTO welcomes 18 new affiliate members
The newly admitted UNWTO members reflect the diversity of the broad tourism sector, with private companies, Destination Management Organizations, universities, professional associations, Intergovernmental Organization and NGOs, all represented. The new additions also reflect UNWTO’s global mission, six from Europe; four from the Americas; four from Asia and the Pacific; two from Africa and two from the Middle…
UNWTO at COP27: Uniting tourism around tangible climate action plans
The tourism sector has set out its plans to achieve its climate action ambitions. At COP27, UNWTO brought leading sector stakeholders together to share practical insights into accelerating the shift to greater sustainability and reaching Net-Zero. Since the launch Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism at COP26, more than 700 businesses, destinations, civil society groups and even countries…
UNWTO members suspend Russia
Russia has been suspended from the UNWTO, following a vote by members of the General Assembly, and will lose its membership rights with immediate effect. Meeting for a first extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly, members debated the suspension of Russia from the organisation, as decided by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month.…
UNWTO sets stage for Global Youth Tourism Summit in Italy
UNWTO is geared up for its Global Youth Tourism Summit from June 27 to July 3 for young people aged between 12 and 18 to share their vision for the future of the sector. Organised by UNWTO in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Italian National Tourist Board, the Summit will see…
UNWTO meeting focuses on tourism in rural areas
High-level speakers from across UNWTO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently held a virtual talk on how best to harness the potential that tourism has for the development of rural areas and communities. Representatives of the two agencies were joined by experts from the European Commission, as well by a number…
UNWTO launches 2nd edition of Best Tourism Villages
UNWTO has announced the return of Best Tourism Villages for 2022, which promotes the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their natural and cultural diversity, local values and activities as well as gastronomy. The initiative also promotes transformative approaches to the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to the Sustainable…
January sees continued tourism recovery: UNWTO
International tourism continued its recovery in January, with a much better performance compared to the weak start to 2021. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine adds pressure to existing economic uncertainties, coupled with many Covid-19-related travel restrictions still in place. Overall, confidence could be affected and hamper the recovery of tourism. Based on the latest…
How UNWTO prepared Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action ahead of COP26
In preparation for COP26, two information sessions were held on the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The declaration, developed by a collaborative group of leading organisations, is an urgent call for all stakeholders to commit to a decade of climate action in tourism. The signatories of the declaration are committing to act now…
