Public and private leaders have been called on to unite behind the Jeddah Call to Action, a commitment to align with UNWTO’s approach to rethink tourism governance at every level to keep adapting to the challenges faced by tourism as a global driver for recovery. On the back of the 116th session of its Executive Council, held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNWTO set down a marker for the future of global tourism. With the pandemic having showed the systemic vulnerabilities of the sector, the United Nations specialized agency called for the construction of a new and reimagined system of governance and financing with the aim of building resilience against future shocks while also making tourism more sustainable. Governance and visibility In Jeddah, UNWTO continued with its...
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Jobs, recovery, sustainability: European tourism leaders meet as sector restarts
The European Member States of UNWTO have highlighted the importance of jobs, professional training and sustainability and innovation as they jointly guide the recovery of tourism across the region. The 67th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe (Yerevan, Armenia, 1-3 June 2022) convened as the restart of European tourism gathered pace. Of the 47 countries in the world that have lifted all restrictions on travel, 31 are in Europe. Against this backdrop, Member States looked to the future to address both short-term challenges and longer-term opportunities for tourism to grow as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development. High-level representatives from 35 Members States and many representatives of the European and global tourism private sectors were given an overview o...
Read MoreUNWTO joined high level representatives from Environment Ministries, International Organizations and UN Agencies to consolidate tourism’s commitment and position as a high impact sector for accelerating sustainability. The special One Planet Forum was hosted by the One Planet Secretariat (UNEP) in association with the Stockholm +50 International Conference, to mark 50 years of global environmental action. Important commitments were made to shift business behaviour and promote circular economy and investments in sustainable consumption and production during plenary discussions on “Investments in people and nature”. The catalytic role of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism was highlighted – reaching 600 signatories in 6 months - by UNWTO Executive Director, Zorits...
Read MoreUNWTO has welcomed the Yukon Sustainable Tourism Observatory into its growing International Network of Sustainable Observatories (INSTO). The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Observatory, hosted by the Government of Yukon, will identify, measure and interpret sustainable tourism conditions to guide evidence-based decision making. This will help the Yukon to better deal with post-pandemic recovery and future growing, ensuring the sector is managed in a sustainable and responsible manner. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “We warmly welcome the Yukon into our growing global network of observatories. The Observatory can help Yukon to better manage its tourism sector, recovering and growing back more sustainably for the benefit of visitors and residents alike.” Inclusiv...
Read MoreThe United Nations General Assembly has met for a first ever dedicated session on tourism and its key role in inclusive recovery and growth. The High-Level Thematic Debate was convened by the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In the General Assembly Hall, government representatives joined public and private stakeholders in recognizing tourism’s unique ability to drive positive change. Tourism for hope and opportunity As the first ever UNWTO Secretary-General to address the UN General Assembly, Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that “now is the time to build resilient and peaceful societies and tourism can help make this happen! Tourism is a leading provider of opportunities because it is...
Read MoreThe United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) voted to suspend Russia's membership over its invasion of Ukraine with immediate effect on Wednesday in a largely symbolic move, shortly after Moscow told the agency it had decided to quit. "The message is clear: Actions will always have consequences. Peace is a fundamental human right. Guaranteed to all. Without exception," UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili, a Georgian whose home country was invaded by Russia in 2008, tweeted after the ballot. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), talks during an interview with Reuters in Madrid, Spain, April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Juan Medina More than two-thirds of UNWTO's 160 member states backed the resolution suspending Russia's membersh...
Read MoreThe number of signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism has passed the 500-mark, just four months after the landmark initiative was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26, November 2021). Today, and coinciding with International Mother Earth Day, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that Expedia Group, Booking Holdings and Condé Nast have become the latest signatories, joining stakeholders of all sizes and from every part of the diverse sector. The signatures of three of the sector’s biggest names underscores tourism’s determination to accelerating climate action at every level and reflects the shared commitment of both big businesses and small stakeholders to work towards a common goal. All signatories of the Glasgow Declaration c...
Read MoreThe Palacio de Congresos de Palma hosted the Summit of Sustainable Destinations organised by UNWTO in partnership with the Mallorca Tourism Foundation. The conference has shared the best practices of environmental, social and economic sustainability developed around the world by leading organisations and companies in these initiatives. Catalina Cladera, the President of Consell de Majorca, Isabel Oliver from the Office of the UNWTO Secretary-General and José Hila, Mayor of Palma, opened the event of which was followed by more than 300 attendees in-person and online. Closing the summit were Closed the summit the vice president of the Spanish Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; and the president of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengo...
Read MoreUNWTO to be hold the event in Sorrento, Italy, from 27 June to 3 July The Global Youth Tourism Summit, organized by UNWTO in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Italian National Tourist Board, will provide a unique opportunity for young people aged between 12 and 18 to share their vision for the future of the sector. For one week, 100 young delegates will network with and work alongside politicians, leading figures from across the tourism sector as well as from the worlds of entertainment and sports. Against the backdrop of the BIT travel trade show in Milan, UNWTO Director for Europe Alessandra Priante joined representatives of the project partners to share more details of the landmark Summit. The inaugural event will be held around the theme of International...
Read MoreThe 11th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism concluded in Andorra with a shared commitment to centre innovation and promote investment in green infrastructure and low-impact travel experiences. Held as part of the UN Year of Sustainable Mountains, the Congress focused on the recovery of tourism and on an approach to the future based on understanding the tourist’s needs while also preserving natural and cultural resources. Also on the agenda was ensuring the well-being of mountain communities and addressing issues such as innovation, sustainability and digital transformation. FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows the Santa Claus Village in the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, Finland, December 3, 2021. REUTERS/Attila Cser At the Congress, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvi...
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