The Diplomat
The main tourism leaders from around the world have met again to shape the future of the sector, with particular emphasis on the vital economic significance of this industry and the importance of consolidating its presence on the political agenda.
The 121st meeting of the UN Tourism Executive Council brought together representatives from 47 countries, including 18 Ministers of Tourism, with a view to advancing the Organization’s vision for the sector, as it achieves its full recovery from the effects of the pandemic.
According to data from UN Tourism, some 285 million tourists undertook international trips in the first quarter of 2024, that is, 20% more than in the same period of the previous year, while international tourism income grew again to reach 1.5 trillion US dollars (1,383 million euros) in 2023.
In his opening speech, the Secretary General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed that it is essential to join innovation and growth, and direct investment towards the sector, in order to promote its positive transformation.
“Now that tourism has recovered from the biggest crisis in its history, it is time to channel our energy towards greater resilience against future crises. At the same time, we must ensure that tourism growth benefits people everywhere. the world, especially by promoting access to education and employment opportunities and taking advantage of the benefits of new technologies,” Pololikashvili said.
In Barcelona, the Executive Council took an important step forward in UN Tourism’s commitment to creating a harmonized legal framework for the sector worldwide, to build confidence in international travel.
