The UNWTO General Assembly begins at a key moment

Tourism leaders from all regions of the world have arrived in Madrid for the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly. Tourism ministers will be joined by representatives from international organizations and the entire private sector for the first truly global tourism meeting to take place since the onset of the pandemic, with innovation, education and investment prominently displayed. from the agenda.

In total, more than 1,000 participants, representing 135 countries and including 84 Ministers and Vice Ministers of Tourism, will attend the most important meeting of the United Nations specialized agency in tourism.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “With the guidance of UNWTO, world tourism faces the challenges of today while looking at the opportunities of tomorrow. The UNWTO General Assembly shows the sector's determination to restart, lead the recovery and be a central pillar of sustainable development and climate action ”.

Towards an international code for the protection of tourists

UNWTO General Assembly shows sector determination to restart, lead recovery and be a central pillar of sustainable development and climate action

UNWTO opened the General Assembly with an induction session on the International Code for the protection of tourists. Launched in response to the drop in consumer confidence caused by the pandemic, the historic legal code will provide minimum standards and consumer rights for tourists in emergency situations. It was developed in collaboration with 98 Member States and Associate Members, as well as international organizations from 5 non-Member States and key private sector stakeholders. Once adopted by the UNWTO General Assembly, the Code will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 with the aim of converting it into a Resolution.

Affiliate members meet to reform and restart

Held within the framework of the General Assembly, the Affiliate Members of UNWTO gathered today for their 43rd annual Plenary Session. Made up of companies and destinations, as well as representatives of civil society and academics, UNWTO has more than 500 Affiliates to transform tourism policy into action. In Madrid, participants received an overview of the UNWTO crisis response, with the Destination Tracker developed by in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented as an example of effective public-private partnerships. At the same time, delegates approved the proposed reform of the UNWTO affiliate membership legal framework, paving the way for more effective collaboration.

Executive Council supports key initiatives

Before the official opening of the General Assembly, UNWTO convened its Executive Council for a 114th session. The Council, which acts as the UNWTO board of directors, met to hear Secretary General Pololikashvili present his report on the work carried out since the 113th session, also held in Madrid at the beginning of the year. The members of the Executive Council agreed on the implementation of the General Work Program for 2020-2021 and for 2022-2023. Members also endorsed several key UNWTO initiatives, notably the UNWTO Recommendations on Tourism for Rural Development, the Better Tourist Villages project and the Global Initiative on Tourism Plastics.

Also meeting in Madrid, the UNWTO Committees on Tourism and Sustainability, on Tourism and Competitiveness and on Online Tourism Education brought together experts to explore ways to advance the Organization's Work Program around key priority areas.