Airbnb launches an initiative to drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism in countries and cities across the globe

San Francisco, CA, 2018-Apr-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Today (APRIL 17 2018), Airbnb launched the Office of Healthy Tourism, an initiative to drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism in countries and cities across the globe. Along with the launch of the Office, Airbnb is also releasing data that shows the benefits of healthy tourism… Read the full press release

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) supports the tourism sector in Madagascar

UNWTO expresses confidence on tourism in Madagascar Madrid, Spain, 2017-Nov-05 — /Travel PR News/ — The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai has visited Madagascar to express the Organization’s full support to the tourism sector. Madagascar’s tourism is facing a challenging situation following a plague outbreak which has prompted some countries to implement… Read the full press release

The UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics approved by member States

MADRID, Spain, 2017-Sep-15 — /Travel PR News/ — The member States of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) approved today an historical document – the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics. The Convention, approved at the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly transforms the Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international convention, the first in the life of the… Read the full press release

UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai comments on ‘tourism-phobia’

UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai comments on ‘tourism-phobia’   MADRID, Spain, 2017-Aug-16 — /Travel PR News/ — In recent months, reports from all around the world have spoken of ‘tourism-phobia’, showing us pictures of citizens protesting against the ‘invasion of tourists’ and the expulsion of locals by tourism businesses. As an economic activity, travel and tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO included in the List of ODA- eligible International Organizations

The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), representing thirty of the main donor countries, has included the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the List of ODA- eligible International Organizations.  MADRID, Spain, 2017-Aug-02 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO’s inclusion in this list implies that countries´ financial contributions to the Organization such as membership fees can now… Read the full press release

Malta President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca appointed Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Malta President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca appointed Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development   MADRID, Spain, 2017-Jul-06 — /Travel PR News/ — Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta, has been nominated as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The appointment took place… Read the full press release

61st Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe held in Chisinau, Moldova

61st Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe held in Chisinau, Moldova   MADRID, Spain, 2017-Jun-14 — /Travel PR News/ — Over 30 countries and Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) gathered last week in Chisinau, the capital city of the Republic of Moldova, for the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe…. Read the full press release

UNWTO appoints Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017

UNWTO appoints Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017   MADRID, Spain, 2017-Jun-14 — /Travel PR News/ —The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has appointed the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO Secretary-General Thankful for Strong Partnership With Outgoing WTTC President

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has expressed his sincere appreciation to David Scowsill, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for the strong partnership between both organizations as he announced his departure after six years at the helm of WTTC.  MADRID, Spain, 2017-May-09 — /Travel PR News/ — Over the last six years,… Read the full press release

UNWTO High-level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism to Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, has recently hosted the 59th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa. Held between 18-21 April, the Commission included a High-level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism to Africa, where regional representatives debated the potential that the sector brings to the continent.  MADRID, Spain, 2017-Apr-27 — /Travel PR News/… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: China continued to lead international outbound tourism with 12% increase in spending

MADRID, 2017-Apr-13 — /Travel PR News/ — 2016 results on expenditure from major outbound markets reflect increasing demand for international tourism across the world, as reported in the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. With a 12% increase in spending, China continued to lead international outbound tourism, followed by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and… Read the full press release

New Zealand’s Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory joins UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

Madrid, Spain, 2017-Apr-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The Waikato Tourism Monitoring Observatory, New Zealand’s first tourism observatory, has joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Committed to regular and timely measurement of tourism and its impacts and hosted by the University of Waikato Management School, the observatory is focused… Read the full press release

UNWTO Workshop in China: Raising awareness on the relevance of the tourism sector in the reduction of poverty

MADRID, Spain, 2017-Mar-29 — /Travel PR News/ — The power of tourism to induce poverty reduction and development constituted the main focus of the UNWTO Workshop held in Guangdong, China. The workshop was conducted under the framework of the agreement signed between UNWTO and the Chimelong Group in 2016 designed to support sustainable tourism and wildlife… Read the full press release

UNWTO Secretary General Welcomes Japan’s Commitment To Tourism Development

Madrid, Spain, 2017-Mar-26 — /Travel PR News/ — The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, applauded Japan’s commitment to tourism development as one of the significant pillars of the socio-economic agenda during a recent official visit to Japan. Meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mr Rifai welcomed Japan’s Action Program for Tourism focused on… Read the full press release

Contribution of tourism to sustainable economic growth of the MENA region a main focus on UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum 2017

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are expected to welcome 195 million international tourists by 2030. Between 25 million and 50 million new jobs will be required in the region over the next decade. Over 20 Ministers and industry leaders will gather at the Ministerial Forum to discuss how tourism can play a role… Read the full press release

UNWTO to Present Draft Text of Its First International Convention in May

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is working to convert the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international Convention, in order to increase the commitment of all stakeholders to its principles. The process is being led by an intergovernmental Working Group composed of representatives of 36 UNWTO Member States.  MADRID, Spain, 2017-Mar-13 —… Read the full press release

UNWTO commends H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa in his efforts in preserving and promoting culture in Bahrain

At the invitation of H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Chairperson of the Board of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, attended the celebrations of Bahrain’s Spring of Cultures Festival, which coincided with Arab Tourism Day on February 25.  MADRID,… Read the full press release

UNWTO held a successful inaugural World Conference on Smart Destinations

Over three days (15-17 February) more than 100 speakers from 20 countries convened in Murcia, Spain to present solutions and experiences for ‘smart destinations’. The 1st UNWTO World Conference on Smart Destinations was organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and the Digital Agenda of Spain and… Read the full press release

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expresses deep concern over US travel ban to nationals of 7 countries

MADRID, Spain, 2017-Feb-02 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Specialized Agency for Tourism, expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the recently announced travel ban by the United States of America (USA) to nationals of seven countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen). The travel… Read the full press release

Belarus advances visa facilitation to stimulate tourism

MADRID, Spain, 2017-Feb-02 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO has expressed its full support to the decision of the Government of Belarus to launch the 5-day visa-free policy that will be applicable to travelers from 80 countries. The measure aims at advancing seamless travel and attracting visitors, particularly those in business trips. The Government of Belarus… Read the full press release

UNWTO to hold 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism on 27-28 April 2017 in Poland

Coinciding with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development to be celebrated throughout 2017, the third International Congress on Ethics and Tourism will be held in Poland, on 27-28 April 2017. Organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the European Commission (EC) and the Government of Poland, the event will focus… Read the full press release

UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism winners will be announced on 18 January 2017

UNWTO has announced the finalists of the 13th edition of the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. The 12 finalists were selected among 139 applicants from 55 countries. The winners will be announced on 18 January 2017 at the UNWTO Awards Ceremony, organized for the fourth consecutive year in collaboration with Madrid International… Read the full press release

UNWTO City Tourism Summit in Luxor, Egypt: urban planning and city tourism development must be fully coordinated

The 5th UNWTO City Tourism Summit in Luxor, Egypt gathered around 400 experts from 40 countries to discuss the theme ‘Cities: Local culture for a global traveler’. The event, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism of Egypt, concluded on the importance of ensuring urban planning and city tourism development… Read the full press release

Southern Laos and the city of Meishan in China to work with TripAdvisor as winners of PATA CEO Challenge 2016

BANGKOK, 2016-Oct-18 — /Travel PR News/ —  A province in Lao PDR and the city of Meishan in China are the winners of the US$1 million PATA CEO Challenge 2016. Southern Laos receives the Top Destination Award in the category of ‘Regions/States/Provinces’. The People’s Government of Meishan, Sichuan, China is granted the Top Destination Award in… Read the full press release

Revised tourism visa scheme promotes Qatar as world-class stopover destination

Ministry of Interior, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority work together to expand free transit visa stays in Qatar from 48 hours to 96 hours Nearly 30 million annual Qatar Airways passengers can plan a Doha stopover more easily UNWTO Secretary General: new scheme is significant change and will result in increase of visitors to… Read the full press release

First World Conference on Tourism for Development highlighted on role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace

The role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace were the key focus of the First World Conference on Tourism for Development. Opening the conference, Premier Li Keqiang underlined the role of tourism in lifting people out of poverty and the importance of stepping up international cooperation in tourism. The event, organized by UNWTO… Read the full press release

ITB Berlin reports record 120,000 visitors over five days

Global travel industry withstands geopolitical crises and remains on course for vigorous expansion – Record attendance by some 120,000 trade visitors over five days – ITB an international success story: in addition to ITB Asia in Singapore, ITB China will take place in Shanghai from 2017 BERLIN, 2016-Mar-14 — /Travel PR News/ — A reliable indicator… Read the full press release

United Nations approves the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

MADRID, 2015-12-8 — /Travel PR News/ — The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has approved the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The resolution, adopted on 4 December, recognizes “the importance of international tourism, and particularly of the designation of an international year of sustainable tourism for development, in… Read the full press release

4th UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and the Media to be hosted in Tunisia on 12-13 November 2015

Building stronger partnerships between tourism destinations and the media will be the topic of the 4th UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and the Media, to be hosted in Tunisia on 12-13 November 2015. MADRID, 2015-11-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The conference is organized with the support of CNN International and counts on the participation… Read the full press release

Czech Republic and UNWTO further strengthen ties with two-year Cooperation Plan

The Czech Republic and UNWTO have signed a two-year Cooperation Plan on the occasion of UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai’s first official visit to the country (Prague, Czech Republic, 3-4 August 2015). MADRID, 2015-8-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Mr. Rifai’s visit followed an invitation from the Minister for Regional Development, Karla Šlechtová, with whom he… Read the full press release