The UN Tourism Executive Council has met again for a milestone session to build on the legacy of the last eight years. Meeting for its 123rd session, the Council assessed progress made around the priorities of innovation, investments and education and looked ahead with the nomination of Shaikha Al Nowais as new Secretary-General from 2026. Upon confirmation by the UN Tourism General Assembly, Shaikha Al Nowais will become the woman to hold the position. According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, about 14 million more than in the same months of 2024. On the back of this positive data, Member States were given an overview of the progress made in key areas designed to build a mor...
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International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 5% in the first quarter of 2025 though results were mixed among regions and sub-regions According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, about 14 million more than in the same months of 2024. That represents a 5% rise on last year and is 3% more than in pre-pandemic year 2019. The robust performance came despite the sector facing a range of geopolitical and trade tensions, as well as high inflation in travel and tourism services. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In every global region, tourism stands out as a major services sector, supporting millions of jobs and businesses of a...
Read MoreUN Tourism has named Dr. Larry Dwyer, Professor and Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, as the winner of the 2025 Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge in Tourism. The Ulysses Prize is UN Tourism’s highest academic honor, awarded to individuals whose work has significantly advanced the understanding and development of tourism through knowledge creation and its practical application. Since its establishment, the Prize has recognized the world’s foremost thinkers whose contributions have shaped the future of the sector. Dr. Dwyer, one of the most respected scholars in tourism economics and policy, destination competitiveness, and sustainable tourism development. His work has consistently bridged the gap between theory and practi...
Read MoreUN Tourism unites ministers around shared vision at ITB Berlin UN Tourism has returned to ITB Berlin 2025, placing the need for investments and the sector’s role as a vehicle of peace high on the agenda of the world’s biggest travel trade show. As it celebrates its 50th year, the United Nations specialized agency is reaffirming its founding vision of tourism for peace and security whilst also looking ahead to a more resilient and inclusive sector underscored by investments and innovation. At Messe Berlin, a UN Tourism Affiliate Member, UN Tourism again served as the bridge between public and private leaders and for the first time hosted a high-level summit featuring Ministers of Tourism from 23 countries. Officially opening ITB Berlin 2025, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zura...
Read MoreUN Tourism has recognized the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi) for its excellence in destination management. Abu Dhabi becomes the sixth Destination Management Organization (DMO) in the world and the first in the Middle East region to receive the UN Tourism QUEST certification, testament to its ongoing dedication to excellence in governance and commitment to sustainability. DCT-Abu Dhabi scored exceptionally high in the three areas of assessment of the certification after receiving 120 hours of capacity building sessions delivered by UN Tourism Academy, which included courses on: Sustainable Tourism; Governance for Sustainable Tourism; Quality and Competitiveness; and Sustainable Tourism Practices for Destination Management. These courses were compl...
Read MoreUN Tourism Global Conference concludes in Vietnam UN Tourism joined with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam to host the First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in the historic town of Hoi An. The event brought together government officials, international and regional financial institutions, development agencies, tourism professionals, rural community leaders, researchers and NGOs to explore policies and strategies to maximize the role of tourism in progressing development in rural areas. Empowering Communities Sessions spotlighted the power of tourism to create jobs, safeguard nature and cultural heritage, and promote social inclusion, with a focus on empowering local communities, women and youth. Key discussions included topics such as policy frame...
Read MoreUN Tourism barometer says, spending growing faster than arrivals Around 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally in the first nine months of 2024, as the global tourism sector recovered 98% of pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, a full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history is expected by the end of the year, despite economic, geopolitical and climate challenges. Four years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought global tourism to a standstill, the Barometer reflects the sector’s remarkable recovery, with most regions already exceeding 2019 arrival numbers in the period January to September 2024. The report also shows outstanding results in terms of international tourism receipts, with most ...
Read MoreThe 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) will take place on 28-29 November at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Organized by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Government of the Region of Madrid, with the support of Visit Nayarit and Turkish Airlines, the event will bring together leading voices from the world of Sports Tourism for two days of insightful discussions, innovative strategies, and knowledge exchange. This year’s congress, held under the theme “Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations,” will transform Madrid into the global center of sports tourism. Attendees will include ministers, high-level officials, industry experts, key players and stakeholders as they explore the role of sports tourism in driving sustainabl...
Read MoreWith the latest UN Tourism Data showing that the sector is on track to reach 96% recovery of pre-pandemic numbers by the end of the year, the 122nd Session of the Executive Council looked to the future, with investments and innovation high on the agenda. The Session welcomed representatives of 47 countries, including 21 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, alongside key strategic partners from the private sector, civil society and international finance. Opening the session, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the example set by Colombia in "betting on tourism" to provide a better future for the country, including for previously-marginalized groups. He said: "Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hoste...
Read MoreDiscover the 55 new Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism where rural communities are shaping the future of sustainable travel Rural destinations consolidate their position as key players in sustainable tourism and community development as UN Tourism announces its Best Tourism Villages 2024. In this fourth edition, 55 villages from all regions received the recognition, chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages were chosen to join the Upgrade Programme. “Tourism is a vital tool for inclusion, empowering rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the r...
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