Juan David Latorre
In the presence of a very large number of the Diplomatic Corps resident in Spain, yesterday the Four Seasons Hotel hosted the celebration of the 50th anniversary of ONU Turismo, with its secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, at the head, and the presence of the Minister of Tourism of Brazil, Celso Sabino, as partner country of the 45th edition of FITUR, which began yesterday.
“It is an honor and a privilege to reflect on how far we have come and reaffirm why we are here, Zurab Pololikashvili remarked in his speech. Tourism is not just a sector of the economy, it is a force for linkages, understanding and transformation.
“In the last five decades, he continued, tourism has grown, surpassing even the most ambitious dreams of our founders. More than 1.5 billion international tourists travel in a single year, and each trip weaves threads that connect people, cultures and continents. These trips empower people, support small businesses and preserve cultural heritage. Above all, they build bridges in a world that is often divided. We are aware that tourism is uniquely placed to foster mutual respect and dialogue. In times of division, he stands as a silent but firm defender of unity. This conviction was boldly proclaimed in 1980 on the occasion of the first World Tourism Day under the motto ‘Peace and mutual understanding’, a motto that has served as a constant guide to our enduring mandate.”
The UN Tourism secretary general said that “although we are meeting today to celebrate, we cannot ignore the stark reality: 56 active conflicts ravage the planet, the highest number since World War II. Despite this, we still believe. Tourism, when it flourishes, brings stability, allows communities to participate in peace, shows that dialogue triumphs over discord and shared experiences transcend borders”.
Zurab Pololikashvili stressed in his speech that “over the years, UN Tourism has faced the challenges of our time. From guiding through the shock that rocked the world on September 11th, to leading recovery efforts after natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have done more than respond, we have led. It is important to note that our focus on education, innovation and investment ensures that tourism acts not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a vehicle for empowerment and sustainability. From Africa to the Americas, from Asia and the Pacific to Europe and the Middle East, we are united by a shared conviction in the capacity of tourism to infuse hope and promote progress”.
The secretary general of UN Tourism also wanted to pay tribute “to our partner friend FITUR, one of the main tourism fairs in the world at its 45th edition, has grown by our side embodying the spirit of cooperation that characterizes our sector”. He then thanked Brazil and Minister Celso Sabino for their leadership and collaboration as partner country of the Fair this year and congratulated him on his recent election as President of the Executive Board of UN Tourism.
“Thanks to our dear friends from the Government of Spain, concluded Zurab Pololikashvili , ONU turismo will soon move to a new historic venue next to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Madrid, our home city, continues to firmly support our mission and we are proud to call this city our home.”
The Brazilian Minister of Tourism then took the floor, saying that “we have to think about the future as if it were today, for sustainability and environmental preservation. We will work together in this direction in the UN Tourism Executive Committee, to make a world of more solidarity, of more cooperation”.
