Before FITUR, UN Tourism, the new name of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), published its latest data. The year’s first World Tourism Barometer highlighted the sector’s recovery, with international arrivals returning to 88% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. With a full recovery expected by 2024, UN Tourism once again served as bridge between the public and private sectors. leaders to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
UN Tourism Leaders Welcome
With the new UN Tourism name and logo officially announced to Members on the eve of FITUR, the Organization welcomed a number of high-level visitors to its Madrid headquarters. The visit of the President of the Republic of Ecuador, His Excellency Daniel Noboa Azín, highlighted his country’s commitment to tourism as a source of growth and development, also reflected in Ecuador being the official partner country of FITUR 2024. Secretary General Pololikashvili congratulated President Noboa and Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism, Niels Olsen Peet, for making clear the role that tourism can play in bringing hope and promoting understanding even in difficult times. In recognition of his leadership, President Noboa Azín received an honorary plaque from UN Tourism.
Within the framework of FITUR, Secretary General Pololikashvili also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Tourism of Albania, Argentina, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Gambia, Gabon, Haiti, Jamaica, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Tanzania, Jordan, Serbia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Focus on tourism investments
UN Tourism has identified investment as a key priority to transform the sector. Within the framework of FITUR, United Nations Tourism organized “Investing in Zambia”, which brought together public sector leaders from the country and other African Member States, together with investors and high-level private sector representatives.
In parallel, United Nations Tourism expanded its partnership with the Investment Bank for Latin America (CAF). The two parties agreed to jointly publish the “Tourism Doing Business” Investment Guidelines focused on Brazil, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Peru, while relaunching revised guidelines for investing in tourism in Ecuador.
Building a more ethical and sustainable sector
UN Tourism brought together several signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The side event reinforced the shared commitment to addressing climate challenges across the tourism sector, highlighting key challenges and opportunities to do better. In addition, the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) formally welcomed its new members, Nuevo León (Mexico) and Petén (Guatemala). They bring the global network to 44 members.
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is also growing in size and impact. UN Tourism welcomed three new signatories to the Private Sector Code, Piñero, Kuoni and Hotel Taimar, a comprehensive set of principles that helps maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts that tourism development can have on the environment , cultural heritage and societies around the world. world.
Best Tourist Villages 2024 launched
Continuing its work to grow tourism as a pillar of rural development, UN Tourism opened applications for the 2024 edition of its “Best Tourist Villages” initiative.
UN Tourism Member States are invited to submit up to eight candidate towns. Applications are open until April 24, 2024, and the selected villages will be announced in the third quarter of the year.