Tourism leaders worldwide have convened once more to chart the course for the sector’s recovery and growth, underscoring its pivotal economic role and elevating its prominence on the global agenda.
The 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council welcomed delegates from 47 countries, including 18 Tourism Ministers, aiming to propel the sector towards full recovery post-pandemic. International tourist arrivals surged by 20% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to last year, with tourism receipts rebounding to USD 1.5 trillion in 2023, according to UN Tourism data.
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the imperative of innovation and strategic investments to fortify tourism’s resilience against future shocks. He stressed, “Now is the time to ensure that tourism’s growth benefits everyone, enhancing access to education, job opportunities, and leveraging new technologies.”
During the session, members adopted the UN Tourism Agenda for Europe, focusing on winter travel destinations, regulation of short-term rental platforms, and strategies to support tourism SMEs amid green investments.
Chairing the meeting, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, hailed the session as pivotal, uniting global leaders to tackle industry challenges and envision a robust tourism future.
In Barcelona, the Executive Council advanced UN Tourism’s commitment to a unified legal framework with the establishment of the “Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean” in Montevideo, Uruguay. This initiative aims to bolster international travel confidence.
Progress continued with updates on forthcoming Regional Offices in Marrakesh for Africa and Rio de Janeiro for the Americas. Additionally, a memorandum with Greece was signed to establish a Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Highlighting urban tourism management challenges, Spain was lauded for its strides in sustainable tourism practices, notably in Barcelona. Mayor Collboni and Minister Jordi Hereu discussed plans to balance tourism growth with sustainability goals, including potential visitor limits and private-sector engagement.
Looking ahead, the UN Tourism Executive Council confirmed Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, as the host for the 122nd session, followed by Spain in early 2025 and Saudi Arabia later that year for sessions 123 and 124 respectively.
The sessions concluded with a renewed commitment to steer global tourism towards sustainable growth, resilience, and inclusive development.
