Saudi Arabia Surpasses 100 Million Tourists: A Testament to Vision and Growth

(IN SHORT) In a remarkable feat, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates surpassing 100 million tourists, seven years ahead of schedule, a milestone recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). With over 27 million international and 79 million domestic tourists contributing to a combined spend of USD 67 billion, Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a… Read the full press release

UN Tourism Focuses on Resilience Building in Jamaica

(IN SHORT) During an official visit to Jamaica, UN Tourism led by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the importance of building a resilient tourism sector. With international arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels, the focus has shifted to protecting the industry from future shocks. The visit coincided with the second Global Tourism Resilience Day, marked by high-level meetings… Read the full press release

UNWTO Workshop in Victoria Falls Promotes African Tourism Through Media and Communication

(IN SHORT) The UNWTO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), organized the first Communication, Media, and Tourism Training Workshop in Victoria Falls from November 13 to 15, 2023. The event brought together tourism professionals, journalists, media, and communication specialists from 20 African countries…. Read the full press release

UN Tourism Invites Applications for 2024 Best Tourism Villages Initiative Promoting Rural Prosperity

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism, formerly known as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has initiated the call for applications for the 2024 edition of its “Best Tourism Villages” program. This initiative aims to recognize rural destinations where tourism is harnessed as a tool for sustainable growth, cultural preservation, and economic development. Member states are encouraged to… Read the full press release

FITUR 2024: UNWTO Highlights Tourism Investment, Sustainability, and Collaboration

(IN SHORT) The FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair, with Ecuador as the official partner country, is set to be a platform for tourism innovation and collaboration from January 23 to 26, 2024. The UNWTO will focus on fostering investment opportunities, strengthening international partnerships, and addressing sustainable development and climate action. Key highlights include investment forums,… Read the full press release

UNWTO Launches ‘TourismConnectsRural’ Digital Hub to Strengthen Rural Tourism Worldwide

(IN SHORT) The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has introduced the ‘TourismConnectsRural’ platform, the world’s largest digital hub dedicated to rural tourism communities. This platform aims to facilitate collaboration among the Best Tourism Villages in the UNWTO Network, connecting approximately 200 rural destinations from across the globe. ‘TourismConnectsRural’ enables villages to share experiences, knowledge,… Read the full press release

UNWTO Concludes Gastronomy Tourism Project in Ubud, Indonesia, Aiming for Sustainable Culinary Excellence

(IN SHORT) The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has successfully completed the Gastronomy Tourism Project in Ubud, Indonesia. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, seeks to establish Ubud as a global center for sustainable gastronomy tourism. The project, initiated in 2018 but paused during the pandemic, resumed… Read the full press release

UNWTO Startup Competition Seeks Innovators Shaping the Future of Hospitality and Business Models

(IN SHORT) The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is collaborating with Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) to identify entrepreneurs and startups at the forefront of reshaping the hotel industry and new business models. The UNWTO Startup Competition for Tourism Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models is open to global startups and entrepreneurs, focusing… Read the full press release

UNWTO Seminar Advances International Code for the Protection of Tourists, Promoting Legal Framework for Tourism Sector

(IN SHORT) The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hosted its inaugural legal seminar in Salamanca, Spain, focusing on the International Code for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark code, established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has garnered support from 22 countries and aims to provide legal certainty to the global tourism sector. During… Read the full press release

7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in La Rioja, Spain to Explore Sustainable Future and Innovation in Wine Tourism

(IN SHORT) The 7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism, set to take place in La Rioja, Spain, from November 22-24, 2023, will focus on the future of sustainable wine tourism. Co-organized by UNWTO, the Government of La Rioja, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the conference will address key themes… Read the full press release

UNWTO and PATA Collaborate to Promote Sustainable Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region

(IN SHORT) The 17th edition of the UNWTO-PATA Forum, held in Guilin, China, from October 26 to 27, 2023, reaffirmed the partnership between the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to guide the sustainable development of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum, organized with co-hosts including the… Read the full press release

UNWTO General Assembly Convenes in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Chart Future Course for Global Tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization has met for the 25th time in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. As its own data indicates that global tourism is on track to reach up to 95% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, the Assembly brought sector leaders… Read the full press release

UNWTO Executive Council Approves Vision and Workplan for Transforming Tourism Sector

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization has analysed and approved its vision to transform the sector. Meeting for its 119th session, Members were also presented with the Organization’s Programme of Work for the past months, with a focus on core priorities as well as a… Read the full press release

UNWTO Global Investment Forum 2023: Charting the Path for Sustainable Tourism Investment

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The “where, why, how and how much?” of tourism investments were the focus of high-level dialogues within the framework of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. With UNWTO data analyses making clear the vital need for both increasing levels of traditional and non-traditional investments in the… Read the full press release

UNWTO Unveils Best Tourism Villages 2023 Recognizing Rural Excellence

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023. The accolate recogonizes villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions. In this third edition 54 villages from all regions were selected from… Read the full press release

Global Leaders Praise UNWTO’s Role in Guiding Tourism: 25th General Assembly Set to Address Key Challenges

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-11 — /Travel PR News/ — With one week to go until the start of its 25th General Assembly, sector leaders have joined international organizations in commending UNWTO’s role in guiding tourism through crisis and into recovery and transformation. High-level delegates and Ministers from more than 150 countries are expected in Samarkand, Uzbekistan,… Read the full press release

Winston Duke Appointed UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism to Promote Global Philanthropy and Sustainable Travel

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-08 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced the appointment of acclaimed actor Winston Duke as its newest Ambassador for Responsible Tourism. Recognized for his exceptional talent and commitment to global philanthropic efforts, Duke will advocate for sustainable tourism practices and raise awareness about the transformative power of… Read the full press release

UNWTO Appoints Chef Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism at 8th World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Oct-08 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has appointed Chef Fatmata Binta and world-renowned Basque Chefs Martín Berasategi and Pedro Subijana as Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism, in the framework of the 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism co-organized with Basque Culinary Center (BCC). The UNWTO thus recognises their… Read the full press release

UNWTO Launches ‘Tourism Opens Minds’ Initiative to Promote Open-Minded Travel Choices

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Sep-29 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO has launched a new global initiative designed to unite and encourage nations, tourism sector leaders and consumers to be more open-minded when choosing a travel destination. Announced during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Riyadh, “Tourism Opens Minds” will showcase the powerful role that tourism plays… Read the full press release

World Tourism Day 2023 Celebrates Tourism and Green Investments in Riyadh

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Sep-26 — /Travel PR News/ — The stage is set for World Tourism Day 2023, with the global sector to come together around them theme of Tourism and Green Investments. In what is set to be the biggest celebration to date, the official celebrations will be held of 27 September in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…. Read the full press release

International Tourism Reaches 84% of Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2023, Led by Middle East, Europe, and Africa

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Sep-20 — /Travel PR News/ — International tourism has continued to recover from the worst crisis in its history as arrival numbers reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023, according to the latest data from UNWTO. The Middle East, Europe and Africa lead the global sector’s rebound. Tourism on Track for Full… Read the full press release

G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration Acknowledges Tourism’s Vital Role in Sustainable Development

Delhi, India, 2023-Sep-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism’s key role in advancing sustainable social and economic development has been highlighted in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. The meeting of the G20 economies (New Delhi, India, 9-10 September) recognized the “opportunity to build a better future [through] development models that implement sustainable, inclusive and… Read the full press release

UNWTO and India’s G20 Presidency Launch Dashboard to Drive Tourism Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

Delhi, India, 2023-Sep-06 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO and India’s G20 Presidency, have joined hands to launch a new tool to advance the contribution of tourism policies and initiatives towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit next 9-10 September, UNWTO has worked with the Presidency through India’s Ministry of… Read the full press release

UNWTO Collaborates with Thassos Municipality to Foster Inclusive Tourism Recovery and Development

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Aug-31 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO will work with the Municipality of Thassos in Greece to help the island rebuild its tourism sector in an inclusive way. The new joint project will focus on two core issues, namely tourism marketing and community involvement in tourism on Thassos. The work is part of… Read the full press release

UNWTO Recognizes Innovative Startups Driving Morocco’s Tourism Recovery and Sustainability

Africa, 2023-Aug-09 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO has recognized the most influential innovators reshaping tourism in the Kingdom of Morocco. The finalists of the first Moroccan Tourism Startup Competition showcase the power of the sector for driving post-pandemic recovery, protecting cultural and natural heritage and providing opportunities for both rural and urban communities. After… Read the full press release

UNWTO Highlights Tourism’s Role in Sustainable Development at UN High-Level Political Forum

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Jul-13 — /Travel PR News/ — This week will bring tourism back to the United Nations headquarters to emphasize the sector’s unique position to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reflecting the unprecedented relevance of tourism on the UN agenda, UNWTO together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Republic of… Read the full press release

UNWTO and Alpitour World Partner to Drive Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Jul-07 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO will work with Alpitour World as a strategic partner to advance innovation, education and sustainability across every part of the tourism sector. Reflecting UNWTO’s focus on harnessing the power of public-private partnerships, the newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding with Alpitour World, will see the two organizations work… Read the full press release

UNWTO and AVIAREPS partner to offer destination marketing grants in Europe

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Mar-30 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO will work with its Affiliate Member AVIAREPS to offer grants for destination marketing and research services to five countries in Europe. The UNWTO + AVIAREPS Destination Marketing Grant will allow selected Member States to benefit from a range of digital marketing services, to be supplied on… Read the full press release

UNWTO and UNDP team up to launch ‘Off the Beaten Track’ challenge for students to showcase rural tourism development

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Mar-29 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina have teamed up to launch the 2023 UNWTO Students’ League. The new ‘Off the Beaten Track’ challenge aims to create a networking environment that will enable cultural connections between students, governments and businesses. Teams of students will… Read the full press release

Applications Open for UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages Initiative to Drive Rural Development and Wellbeing

Madrid, Spain, 2023-Mar-24 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO has opened applications for the third edition of its Best Tourism Villages initiative. Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO was launched in 2021 as part of the Organization’s work to make tourism a driver of rural development and wellbeing. To date, over 70 villages from almost 40 countries have… Read the full press release