UNWTOs

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism worldwide. It serves as a leading international forum for tourism policy and knowledge, providing data collection and analysis, technical assistance, capacity building, and policy guidance to governments, the private sector, and civil society. Its overarching aim is to maximize tourism’s socio-economic benefits while protecting cultural heritage and the environment.

UNWTO was established in the mid-1970s through a treaty setting its mandate within the UN system, and it is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. The organization operates through member states, affiliate and associate members, and regional commissions, governed by a General Assembly and other elected bodies, with a Secretariat led by a Secretary-General. As of the last known leadership, Zurab Pololikashvili has served as Secretary-General since 2017.

The organization’s activities include collecting and publishing tourism statistics, producing reports on trends and sustainable development indicators, and offering technical assistance and training to build capacity in tourism governance and policy. It organizes international conferences, forums, and workshops to facilitate cooperation among governments, international organizations, and industry stakeholders. UNWTO’s mandate emphasizes inclusive growth, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship within the tourism sector.