1st UNWTO World Forum on Food Tourism jointly organized by UNWTO and Basque Culinary Center to be held on 27-28 April 2015 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

Gastronomy and tourism are natural allies and mutually reinforce one another. The many links between gastronomy and tourism and the opportunities for closer cooperation between both areas will be explored at the 1st UNWTO World Forum on Food Tourism, jointly organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center (Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 27-28 April 2015).  … Read the full press release

UNWTO joins UNESCO in urging immediate action to safeguard the world’s cultural heritage

MADRID, 2015-3-4 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO is appalled by the systematic destruction of cultural and religious artefacts in Syria and Iraq, the last of which in the Mosul Museum in Iraq. On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO joins UNESCO in urging immediate action to safeguard the world’s cultural heritage. “As stated… Read the full press release

UNWTO research: poaching and illicit trade in wildlife serious threat to tourism industry in Africa

MADRID, 2015-3-4 — /Travel PR News/ — Wildlife watching tourism is one of the most important tourism segments in Africa, according to new UNWTO research released on the occasion of World Wildlife Day. In view of tourism’s potential in advancing inclusive growthacross the continent, poaching and illicit trade in wildlife pose a serious threat to… Read the full press release

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai addressed ITB 2015 opening in Berlin, Germany

MADRID, 2015-3-4 — /Travel PR News/ — In his ITB 2015 opening address, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai highlighted how new technologies are changing society and shaping the tourism sector, shifting power from governments and companies to citizens and consumers. Rifai recalled that with power comes responsibility and highlighted tourism´s capacity to overcome prejudice in an… Read the full press release

The VI Investment and Tourism Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) agrees the continent needs a stronger brand

Branding and promotion, foreign direct investment, human resources development and visa facilitation were among the key topics in focus at the VI Investment and Tourism Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR). 16 Tourism Ministers from Africa and the Middle East and experts from different areas attended the yearly Forum, held on the occasion of the International… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: 4.7% increase on international tourist arrivals in 2014 over the previous year

International tourist arrivals reached 1,138 million in 2014, a 4.7% increase over the previous year, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. For 2015, UNWTO forecasts international tourism to grow by 3% to 4%, further contributing to the global economic recovery. Madrid, 2015-1-27 — /Travel PR News/ — The number of international tourists (overnight… Read the full press release

UN General Assembly adopted resolution recognizing the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty eradication, community development and the protection of biodiversity

A milestone resolution recognizing the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty eradication, community development and the protection of biodiversity has been adopted by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly. New York/Madrid, 2015-1-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Emphasizing the need to optimize the economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits stemming from sustainable tourism, particularly in… Read the full press release

UNWTO co-organized conference focused on Sustainable development of tourism at religious heritage sites

Sustainable development of tourism at religious heritage sites was in focus at the International Conference on Religious Heritage and Tourism: Types, trends and challenges, jointly organized by UNWTO, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain and the City Hall of Elche (27-28 November 2014, Elche, Spain). Elche /Madrid, 2014-12-11 — /Travel PR News/ —… Read the full press release

UNWTO applauds the commitment of the Japanese government to the tourism sector and the positive results of tourism in the country

During an official visit to Japan, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, highlighted the commitment of the Japanese government to the tourism sector and the positive results of tourism in the country. Mr. Rifai met the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to discuss the strengthening of the relationship between UNWTO and Japan and inaugurated the… Read the full press release

UNWTO commends the Government of Romania to attract more international youth travelers through the country’s first tourism cluster dedicated to young people

UNWTO commends the measures taken by the Government of Romania to attract more international youth travelers through the country’s first tourism cluster dedicated to young people. MADRID, 2014-10-29 — /Travel PR News/ — The new Youth Tourism Cluster, an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism of Romania, brings together state institutions, private companies and international… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: International tourist arrivals grew by 4.6% in the first half of 2014

MADRID, 2014-9-16 — /Travel PR News/ — International tourist arrivals grew by 4.6% in the first half of 2014 according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Destinations worldwide received some 517 million international tourists between January and June 2014, 22 million more than in the same period of 2013. Growth was strongest in the… Read the full press release

The International Renewable Energy Agency and the World Tourism Organization joined forces to promote the use of renewable energies in Islands’ tourism sector

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting countries’ efforts to adopt renewable energy, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, have joined forces to promote the use of renewable energies in Islands.  MADRID, 2014-9-2 — /Travel PR News/ — In a Joint Statement on Renewable Energy… Read the full press release

UNWTO and Griffith Institute for Tourism to disseminate tourism knowledge in Asia and the Pacific

Madrid, 2014-7-24 — /Travel PR News/ — Disseminating tourism knowledge, enhancing the expertise on tourism and climate change and advancing sustainable tourism in Asia and the Pacific are some of the areas of cooperation agreed between the Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) and UNWTO (Madrid, Spain, 21 July 2014). The cooperation agreement was signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the… Read the full press release

UNWTO addresses the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s socio-economic development

Addis Abeba/Madrid, 2014-7-24 — /Travel PR News/ — During an official visit to Ethiopia, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, met with President Mulatu Teshome, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, and Minister of Culture & Tourism,Amin Abdulkadir, to address the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s socio-economic development. (Addis Abeba,… Read the full press release

World Tourism Day to be hosted by Mexico in the city of Guadalajara on 27 September 2014

Tourism and Community Development’ is the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD). The theme underscores the potential of tourism to promote opportunities for communities around the world, as well as the role that community engagement has in advancing sustainable tourism development. The official celebrations will be hosted by Mexico in the city of… Read the full press release

UNWTO supports tourism recovery of Bohol and Tacloban in Philippines, severely hit by two major natural disasters

Bohol/Madrid, 2014-6-3 — /Travel PR News/ — During a recent visit to the Philippines, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai visited the Bohol province to review the recovery progress following the 2013 earthquake and deliver a recovery plan for the region’s tourism sector. The Bohol Tourism Recovery Plan is a roadmap to support the recovery of Bohol’s tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO, UNODC, and African Tourism Ministers support global fight against wildlife crime

Berlin/Madrid, 2014-03-11 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and African Tourism Ministers have committed toadvancing the tourism sector’s support in the global fight against the surge in poaching that is threatening one of Africa’s main tourism resources – its unique wildlife and biodiversity. (ITB Berlin, Germany, 6 March 2014). In a… Read the full press release

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai met with federal and state government officials in Australia

Madrid, Spain, 2014-2-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UNWTO Secretary-General concluded a 5-day trip to Australia where he met with federal and state government officials as well as main private sector associations and UNWTO Affiliate Members. During his visit, Mr. Rifai underscored the progress made by Australia in converging with UNWTO’s main policy recommendations: supporting travel facilitation, intelligent… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer unveils international tourist arrivals grew by 5% in 2013 reaching a record 1,087 million arrivals

Madrid, Spain, 2014-1-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — International tourist arrivals grew by 5% in 2013, reaching a record 1,087 million arrivals, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Despite global economic challenges, international tourism results were well above expectations, with an additional 52 million international tourists travelling the world in 2013. For 2014, UNWTO forecasts 4% to… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: international tourism grew by 5% in the first nine months of 2013

Madrid, Spain, 2013-12-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — In the first nine months of 2013, international tourism grew by 5% according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. The number of international tourist arrivals reported by destinations around the world increased by some 41 million between January and September, growing above UNWTO’s initial forecast and creating an important stimulus to… Read the full press release

17 Portugal tourism associations signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2013-12-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Seventeen of Portugal´s foremost tourism associations have signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, pledging to implement the ethical principles of the Code in their policies and operations. The signing took place coinciding with the 3rd UNWTO International Conference of Tourism and the Media (Estoril,… Read the full press release

UNWTO and UNESCO to cooperate on sustainable tourism and the protection of natural and cultural heritage

UNWTO and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) forged a new cooperation agreement consolidating efforts on sustainable tourism and the protection of natural and cultural heritage (26 November 2013, New York, USA). Madrid, Spain, 2013-11-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, in… Read the full press release

Laos Prime Minister receives UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism from UNWTO Secretary-General

Madrid, Spain, 2013-11-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Prime Minister of Laos, Thongsing Thammavong, acknowledged tourism as central to the agenda of the government of Laos when accepting the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism from UNWTO Secretary-General, in support of mainstreaming the sector in the national and international agendas. Prime Minister Thammavong said, “Tourism development is… Read the full press release

Tourism Ministers call for closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies at UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit

London, United Kingdom, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — Improving air connectivity through a closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies to ensure the sustained growth of the tourism sector and of air transport was the commitment stemming from the annual UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers´ Summit (London, United Kingdom, 5 November 2013). Critical issues related to… Read the full press release

Visa facilitation top priority for UNESCO/UNWTO Silk Roads Heritage Corridors Workshop

Madrid, Spain, 2013-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tourism and heritage experts called for more effective visa systems to support tourism development at the UNESCO/UNWTO Silk Roads Heritage Corridors Tourism Strategy Workshop. The workshop aimed to define a tourism management roadmap for two UNESCO Silk Road Heritage Corridors crossing China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (7-8 October 2013, Almaty,… Read the full press release

New report reveals visa facilitation could create 2.6 million new jobs in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Bali, Indonesia, 2013-10-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — A new report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that visa facilitation could create up to 2.6 million new jobs in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies by 2016. The report was presented on the occasion of the APEC High Level Policy… Read the full press release

2nd UNWTO Global Summit on City Tourism in Moscow 19-20 September 2013

Madrid, 2013-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The upcoming 2nd UNWTO Global Summit on City Tourism, “Innovative strategies for improving competitiveness and the development of new business models” in Moscow, capital city of the Russian Federation, (19-20 September 2013) will set the stage for the second phase of the “Cities” project initiated by UNWTO last year. Organized… Read the full press release

UNWTO fully supports the newly created Vanilla Islands Tourism Organization

Madrid, 2013-09-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — UNWTO has expressed its full support to the newly created Vanilla Islands Tourism Organization as a means to reinforce tourism competitiveness in the islands of the Indian Ocean (Reunion Island, France, 10 September 2013). The concept of ‘Vanilla Islands’, defined at the beginning of August 2010 under the aegis of the Indian… Read the full press release

UNWTO: International tourist arrivals reached almost 500 million in H1-2013, up 5% YoY

Madrid, 2013-08-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — International tourist arrivals grew by 5% during the first half of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, reaching almost 500 million, according to data just released by UNWTO. Growth was above the projection made at the beginning of the year (+3% to +4%) and is also exceeding the trend of… Read the full press release

UNWTO: 298 million international tourists traveled worldwide between January and April 2013

Madrid, 2013-07-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — A total of 298 million international tourists travelled worldwide between January and April 2013, 12 million more than in the same period last year according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Prospects for the current tourism peak season remain positive with some 435 million tourists expected to travel abroad in the… Read the full press release