UNWTO SDGs Global Startup Competition winners announced

Startups from around the world have been recognized for their unique contributions to sustainable and responsible tourism in the UNWTO SDGs Global Startup Competition. Madrid, Spain, 2021-Feb-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The competition, which was supported by the United Nations Innovation Network, attracted some 10,000 initial proposals. From these, the jury chose 25 winners… Read the full press release

UNWTO research highlights progress made in gender equality in the tourism sector

Middle East, 2021-Jan-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Fewer than one in 10 tourism workers in the Middle East are women though this proportion is steadily increasing, new research has found. The Regional Report on Women in Tourism in the Middle East, released today by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO and Google host second global Tourism Acceleration Program in the MENA

The program is designed to boost innovation, digital transformation and planning in the tourism sector Dubai, UAE, 2020-Dec-15 — /Travel PR News/ — The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in partnership with Google hosted their second edition of the global Tourism Acceleration Program in the MENA region, a program designed to boost innovation and digital transformation… Read the full press release

UNWTO and CNN launch campaign on global restart of tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Dec-15 — /Travel PR News/ — After partnering back in May for a campaign asking the world to be patient, responsible and “travel tomorrow”, the World Tourism Organization and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) have teamed up again to celebrate the transformative power being unleased as the restart of tourism gets underway. Centred around… Read the full press release

UNWTO announces 26 new signatories for the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Nov-27 — /Travel PR News/ — The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative has welcomed 26 new signatories, including businesses and organizations from every part of the global tourism value chain. Led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Initiative unites… Read the full press release

Clearer and more consistent support to tourists globally established by UNWTO

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Nov-03 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourists are to be given greater legal protection as consumers under new plans being advanced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). With restoring confidence a key priority for the sector, the International Code for the Protection of Tourists advanced by UNWTO with the support of almost 100 Member States… Read the full press release

UNWTO emphasizes need for responsibility, safety and security as restrictions on travel are lifted

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Jun-24 — /Travel PR News/ — As tourism slowly restarts in an increasing number of countries, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released new data measuring the impact of COVID-19 on the sector. UNWTO emphasizes the need for responsibility, safety and security as restrictions on travel are lifted. The Organization also reiterates the… Read the full press release

UNWTO: Europe leading the way to cautious restart of tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Jun-24 — /Travel PR News/ — Restrictions on travel, introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are slowly being eased, allowing tourism to restart in a growing number of destinations. The latest research by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that 22% of all destinations worldwide (48 destinations) have started to ease restrictions,… Read the full press release

World Tourism Organization’s Regional Commission for Africa members virtually meet to plan for recovery and resilience

Africa, 2020-Jun-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Recovery and resilience were the central themes as the members of the World Tourism Organization’s Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) met for the 63rd time today (9 JUN 20). Reflecting the extraordinary circumstances, the meeting was held virtually, bringing together Ministers of Tourism from across the region with representatives… Read the full press release

UNWTO partners with IFC to promote green financing to enhance tourism’s sustainability

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Jun-05 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continues to steer global tourism towards a more sustainable future, partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to green the sector and promote recovery and responsible growth. Under the new Investment Readiness for Green Finance Mechanisms initiative, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO releases guidelines to help tourism sector reopen in a safe, seamless and responsible manner

The United Nations specialized agency for tourism releases guidelines for strong and sustainable recovery Recommendations draw on cross-sector expertise of Tourism Crisis Committee Safe, seamless travel and restoring confidence key priorities UNWTO and Google strengthen partnership to promote digital skills and create new opportunities in recovery phase Madrid, Spain, 2020-May-29 — /Travel PR News/ —… Read the full press release

UNWTO names Spanish football legend Iker Casillas as Special Ambassador for Responsible Tourism

Madrid, Spain, 2020-May-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today (11 MAY 2020) designated Spanish football legend and World Cup winner Iker Casillas as Special Ambassador for Responsible Tourism. In a virtual ceremony, the goalkeeper pledged to promote the universal benefits of tourism. During the ceremony, which was held by video… Read the full press release

Air transport and tourism bodies call on international community to support the African Travel & Tourism sector

Geneva, Switzerland, 2020-May-08 — /Travel PR News/ — Five international air transport and tourism bodies have launched an appeal to international financial institutions, country development partners and international donors to support Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector which employs some 24.6 million people on the African continent. Without urgent funding, the COVID-19 crisis could see a… Read the full press release

UNWTO creates Global Tourism Crisis Committee

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Mar-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hosted a high-level virtual meeting yesterday, bringing together key UN agencies, the chairs of its Executive Council and Regional Commissions, and private sector leaders. Tourism is the economic sector that has been hardest hit by COVID-19 and all participants accepted an invitation… Read the full press release

UNWTO addresses the European Parliament aimed at placing tourism high on European Union’s agenda

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Feb-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today (19 FEB 2020) addressed the European Parliament in the context of several high-level meetings aimed at placing tourism high on European Union’s agenda. Europe is the world’s most visited regions and home to international tourism leaders such as… Read the full press release

UNWTO to support sustainable tourism growth in Greece

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Feb-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) paid a high-level visit to Greece to meet with the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and offer the United Nations’ specialized agency’s support as the country works to grow and diversify its tourism sector. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was in… Read the full press release

UNWTO, UNEP, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation announces the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative

Madrid, Spain, 2020-Jan-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is officially announced today (22 JAN 2020) by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to tackle the root causes… Read the full press release

UNWTO welcomed fellow United Nations agencies to Madrid for the COP25 Climate Change Summit

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Dec-05 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed its fellow United Nations agencies to Madrid for the start of the COP25 Climate Change Summit. With tourism now high on the United Nations agenda, and with UNWTO the global leader in tourism for development and advocacy, this summit will see… Read the full press release

UNWTO welcomes US$1 million donation from the Chimelong Flora and Fauna Conservation Foundation to grow wildlife tourism

Guangzhou, China, 2019-Oct-30 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization is to continue to lead the way in growing wildlife tourism and harnessing it as a driver for conservation and development, supported by a major new US$1 million donation from the Chimelong Flora and Fauna Conservation Foundation. In 2018, the wildlife tourism sector contributed… Read the full press release

The first ‘SPORTSTECH’ edition of the UNWTO’s Tourism Tech Adventures initiative at the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macau, SAR

Macau, SAR, 2019-Oct-15 — /Travel PR News/ — The growing sports tourism sector took centre stage at the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macau, SAR with the first ‘SPORTSTECH’ edition of the World Tourism Organization’s Tourism Tech Adventures initiative celebrating the most disruptive ideas and innovators from around the world. This served as the ideal backdrop… Read the full press release

U.S. delegation meets with the World Tourism Organization

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Oct-08 — /Travel PR News/ — A high-level delegation from the United States Department of State has met with head of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the country moves closer to rejoining the United Nations specialized agency for tourism. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Kevin Moley and Assistant Secretary for… Read the full press release

UNWTO Observatory NETWORK (INSTO) welcomes Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory as new member

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Oct-03 — /Travel PR News/ — Australia’s South West Sustainable Tourism Observatory, has officially become the latest member of the World Tourism Organization’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). The Observatory will work to monitor tourism in the south-west region of Australia and help guide its sustainable development. The Australia’s South West Sustainable… Read the full press release

More than 1,000 participants from 124 countries gather together for the World Tourism Organization General Assembly in Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, 2019-Sep-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The 23rd Session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has opened in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, with high-level delegates joining tourism leaders from around the world for the most important meeting for the global tourism sector. More than 1,000 participants from 124… Read the full press release

San Sebastian awarded the 2019 UNWTO prize for Public Policy and Governance

St Petersburg, Russian Federation, 2019-Sep-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The Spanish city of San Sebastian was awarded the 2019 World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) prize for Public Policy and Governance at a ceremony attended by leaders of the global tourism sector in St Petersburg, Russian Federation. Held during the 23rd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly,… Read the full press release

The 62nd meeting of the UNWTO’s Regional Commission for Africa highlights UNWTO’s 2030 Agenda for Africa

Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, 2019-Sep-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Leaders from across Africa have met in Saint Petersburg ahead of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to discuss the key issues facing the continent as it looks to grow its tourism sector and harness it as a key driver of economic development… Read the full press release

UNWTO: Tourism Enjoys Continued Growth generating USD 5 billion per day

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Aug-30 — /Travel PR News/ — International tourist arrivals grew 5% in 2018, to reach the 1.4 billion mark, two years ahead of the World Tourism Organization’s long-term forecasts, according to the UNWTO International Tourism Highlights, 2019 Edition. At the same time, export earnings generated by tourism grew to USD 1.7 trillion, an increase… Read the full press release

UNWTO: Buenos Aires joins the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO)

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Aug-27 — /Travel PR News/ — Buenos Aires has become the latest city to join the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), a pioneering initiative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aimed at helping destinations manage tourism in a smart and sustainable manner. This latest INSTO member – the first in Argentina –… Read the full press release

UNWTO hosts Aid for Trade Conference: “Tourism Financing for the 2030 Agenda” in Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland, 2019-Jul-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism’s unique potential as a tool for driving the global sustainable development agenda has taken center stage at a special event hosted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The session, entitled “Tourism Financing for the 2030 Agenda” was held during the 2019 Global Review of… Read the full press release

UNWTO welcomed United States delegation at The 110th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council

Baku, Azerbaijan, 2019-Jun-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The United States of America has highlighted its support of tourism as a driver of sustainable development. A high-level delegation of the Government attending the World Tourism Organization Executive Council announced that the US is exploring the possibility of re-joining the UN agency responsible for the promotion… Read the full press release

UNWTO holds 110th Session of its Executive Council in Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan, 2019-Jun-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has met in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 110th Session of its Executive Council (16-18 June). At the meeting, Member States endorsed the Organization’s progress and future plans, as outlined Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, and warmly welcomed the participation of the United States as it… Read the full press release