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

UNWTO: Exports from international tourism reached USD 1.7 trillion in 2018, a 4% increase over the previous year

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Jun-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Exports generated by international tourism reached USD 1.7 trillion in 2018, a 4% increase in real terms over the previous year, a new report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows. For the seventh year in a row, tourism exports grew faster than merchandise exports (+3%), reflecting solid… Read the full press release

Croatia hosts the annual meeting of the tourism ministers of UNWTO Member States in Europe

Madrid, Spain, 2019-May-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Innovation, partnerships and managing rising tourist numbers have been top of the agenda at the 64th Meeting of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Europe, held in Zagreb, Croatia this week (27-30 May). Croatia was unanimously chosen to host the annual meeting of the tourism ministers… Read the full press release

UNWTO and JTTA release new UNWTO Report on Gastronomy Tourism: The Case of Japan

Madrid, Spain, 2019-May-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA) and Gurunavi have released the new UNWTO Report on Gastronomy Tourism: The Case of Japan. The publication includes 18 different case studies of successful gastronomy tourism in Japan. At present, the concept of gastronomy tourism… Read the full press release

UNWTO welcomes Guatemala into its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO)

Madrid, Spain, 2019-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed Guatemala into its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). The Central American country becomes the 26th member of the global network which is committed to the systematic collection of data on the impacts of tourism at the destination level. The… Read the full press release

UNWTO holds successful 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in the Spanish city of San Sebastian

San Sebastian, Spain, 2019-May-07 — /Travel PR News/ — Around 500 participants from 90 countries are attending the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in the Spanish city of San Sebastian (2-3 May), hosted by the Basque Culinary Center (BCC). This year’s event centers on the contribution of gastronomy tourism to job creation and to the… Read the full press release

Balearic Islands Poised to Become First Tourism Destination Developed Under 2030 Agenda

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Apr-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Deploying new resources and actions for the progressive adaptation of the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera) to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, is one of the main objectives of the agreement signed between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the IMPULSA BALEARS Foundation. Its aim is to jumpstart… Read the full press release

UNWTO holds the First Ministerial Conference on Air Transport and Tourism in Africa

Sal Island, Cabo Verde, 2019-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The First Ministerial Conference on Air Transport and Tourism in Africa co-organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Government of Cabo Verde was held in Sal Island, Cabo Verde, attracting over 20 Ministers of Tourism, Transport and… Read the full press release

UNWTO holds The first UNWTO Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal, 2019-Apr-09 — /Travel PR News/ — The first UNWTO Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism, co-organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Ministry of Economy of Portugal and the Lisbon Municipality concluded Friday in Lisbon, Portugal. The event gathered Mayors and high-level city representatives from around the world, UN agencies and the private… Read the full press release

UNWTO held a successful forum on “Facing the Demographic Challenge through Tourism and Innovation” in Segovia, Spain

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Mar-27 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held today (26 Mar 2019) in Segovia, the forum “Facing the Demographic Challenge through Tourism and Innovation”, whose opening was attended by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, María Reyes Maroto; the President of the Junta de Castilla y… Read the full press release

Sustainability, digitalization and mobility highlighted at The 4th edition of the UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Mar-06 — /Travel PR News/ — The 4th edition of the UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference (2-5 March 2019, Berchtesgaden, Germany) highlighted the need for collective efforts in overcoming current challenges that mountain destinations are facing to adapt to new consumer trends and market changes, to address seasonality by diversifying tourism products in an… Read the full press release

Basque Culinary Center and UNWTO to co-organize the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in San Sebastián, Spain, 2-3 May 2019

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Feb-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) are co-organizing the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, on 2-3 May 2019 in San Sebastián, Spain. The Forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial… Read the full press release

ITB Berlin to help Malaysia achieve its ambitious growth plans

Official Country Partners status at World’s Leading Travel Trade Show® – a vital step towards achieving Visit Malaysia 2020 targets Berlin, Germany, 2019-Feb-27 — /Travel PR News/ — With a total of 25.8 million international tourists arriving in Malaysia in 2018, ITB Berlin (6-10 March 2019) will be instrumental in boosting visitor numbers to this exotic,… Read the full press release

UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference, “The Future of Mountain Tourism” from 2-5 March 2019, Berchtesgaden, Germany

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Feb-18 — /Travel PR News/ — “The Future of Mountain Tourism” is the theme of the 4th edition of the UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference (2-5 March 2019, Berchtesgaden, Germany). The conference will spotlight the significant opportunities to be seized and the challenges facing the development of mountain tourism. The UNWTO Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference is… Read the full press release

The Córdoba Tourism Agency earns UNWTO.QUEST Certification

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Feb-06 — /Travel PR News/ — The Córdoba Tourism Agency (Agencia Córdoba Turismo) has received the World Tourism Organization’s UNWTO.QUEST Certification, whereby the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism for all, promotes the strengthening of the institutional capacities of destination management organizations (DMOs) and… Read the full press release

Navarre’s tourism observatory in Spain joins INSTO

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Jan-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Navarre’s observatory is the first tourism observatory in Spain to join INSTO, bringing the number of network members to 25. The group consists of destinations committed to generating better evidence through the continuous monitoring of the impacts of tourism at the destination level. The Tourism Observatory of Navarre… Read the full press release

The 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism to be held in San Sebastian, Spain 2-3 May 2019

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) have signed the Agreement for the holding of the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism (San Sebastian, Spain 2-3 May 2019). The new edition of this global forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce… Read the full press release

UNWTO announces Israeli startup Refundit as the winner of the inaugural Global Tourism Startup Competition

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Refundit, an Israeli startup, was declared the winner in the final phase of the 1st Global Tourism Startup Competition, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Globalia, and held within the framework of the FITUR International Tourism Fair, topping 3,000 entries from around the world. The Competition,… Read the full press release

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: International tourist arrivals grew 6% in 2018, totalling 1.4 billion

2018 totalled 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals (+6%), consolidating 2017 strong results and proving to be the second strongest year since 2010 Middle East (+10%) and Africa (+7%) grew above the world average while Asia and the Pacific and Europe grew at 6% For 2019, UNWTO forecasts a 3-4% increase, in line with the historical… Read the full press release

Fundación ONCE and UNWTO to promote the direct, effective and lasting labour insertion of persons with disabilities in tourism businesses

Madrid, España, 2019-Jan-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The Executive Vice-President of Fundación ONCE, Alberto Durán, and the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, signed in Madrid on Monday a letter of intent to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the tourism sector. The objectives are to raise awareness among UNWTO… Read the full press release

Punta del Este Convention Bureau becomes the first destination management organization in the world to receive UNWTO.QUEST Certification

Madrid, Spain, 2019-Jan-08 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has granted UNWTO.QUEST Certification to the Punta del Este Convention Bureau, which became the first destination management organization in the world to receive this certification. The Punta del Este Convention Bureau, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, participated in the UNWTO.QUEST Certification pilot project that… Read the full press release

UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center to co-organize the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism on 2-3 May 2019 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) will co-organize the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism on 2-3 May 2019 at the Kursaal Congress Center in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain. The Forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of… Read the full press release

UNWTO and Globalia announce 10 finalists for the inaugural UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition

The 10 finalists will present their projects in January 2019 within the framework of Fitur in Madrid.   The finalists were selected among 3000 projects from 132 countries:  Awake (Colombia), By Hours (Spain), e-bot (Germany), The FreeBird Club (Ireland), Howazit (Israel), Kompas (UK), Pruvo (Israel), Refundit (Israel), Seevoov (Israel), Stay 22 (Canada). The collaboration between UNWTO… Read the full press release

UNWTO and UNESCO hold successful third cultural tourism conference

Madrid, Spain, 2018-Dec-07 — /Travel PR News/ — The third cultural tourism conference (3-5 December) organized jointly between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) concluded today (5 December 2018) in Istanbul, Turkey. Participants declared their support for cultural tourism as a driver for safeguarding living heritage, catalyzing… Read the full press release

UNWTO, Procolombia and Sound Diplomacy announce launch of world’s first guide devoted to music and tourism Titled ‘Music is the New Gastronomy’

Madrid, Spain, 2018-Nov-05 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), together with partners Procolombia and Sound Diplomacy, will launch the world’s first guide devoted to music and tourism on 6 November during the World Travel Market tourism trade show in London, UK. Titled ‘Music is the New Gastronomy’, the white paper is the… Read the full press release

UNWTO and Basque Culinary Center launch pioneering initiative for the gastronomic tourism sector

Madrid, Spain, 2018-Oct-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Tourism Organization and Basque Culinary Center (BCC), have launched a pioneering initiative for the gastronomic tourism sector, with a global call for startups or companies, mature or emerging, technological and non-technological, with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing and integrating gastronomy in tourism and inspiring tourists… Read the full press release

UNWTO sees wine tourism as part of national tourism and rural development policies at the 3rd UNWTO Wine Tourism Conference in Moldova

Madrid, Spain, 2018-Sep-13 — /Travel PR News/ — UNWTO called for wine tourism to be made part of national tourism and rural development policies at the 3rd UNWTO Wine Tourism Conference in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova (6-7 September 2018). The two days of discussions engaged experts from 30 countries and addressed UNWTO’s priority of enhancing… Read the full press release

UNWTO: Qatar the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation

Madrid, Spain, 2018-Sep-05 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar has become the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently updated its visa openness rankings, confirming Qatar’s recent visa facilitation improvements including allowing nationals of 88 countries… Read the full press release

Early-stage venture capital firm Vynn Capital and UNWTO to promote South-East Asia’s tourism sector by facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2018-Aug-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Vynn Capital, a South-East Asia-based early-stage venture capital firm, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today ( 9 August 2018 ) jointly announced a strategic partnership to promote South-East Asia’s tourism sector by facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation. Through this strategic partnership, Vynn Capital and UNWTO will collaborate… Read the full press release