United Nations World Tourism Organization

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with the mandate of promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. Its headquarters are located in Madrid, Spain. The UNWTO plays a leading role in advocating tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. It provides guidance and assistance in developing tourism policies, and serves as a global platform for tourism policy discussions and a source of tourism research and knowledge. The UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and focuses on development, competitiveness, innovation and digital transformation, ethics, culture and social responsibility, technical cooperation, UNWTO Academy, and statistics. The official languages of UNWTO are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNWTO established the Global Tourism Crisis Committee to provide guidance to the tourism sector as it faced unprecedented challenges. Before the pandemic, the tourism industry was at an all-time high, with one out of ten jobs worldwide being dependent on tourism, and international tourist arrivals reaching 1.5 billion in 2019.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was established in 1975 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. However, its origins can be traced back to the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO), which was founded in 1925 in The Hague, Netherlands. The IUOTO aimed to promote tourism and facilitate international travel, and its membership consisted mainly of national tourist organizations and travel industry associations.

In the post-World War II period, the IUOTO played a key role in the reconstruction of tourism in Europe, which had been devastated by the war. In 1947, the IUOTO was recognized by the United Nations as the main international organization in the field of tourism. Over the next few decades, the IUOTO continued to expand its membership and activities, organizing conferences, seminars, and training programs for tourism professionals.

In 1967, the IUOTO was reorganized and renamed as the World Tourism Organization (WTO), with the aim of strengthening its role in promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth and development. The new organization was based in Madrid, Spain, and its membership consisted of both national tourist organizations and private sector associations.

In 2003, the WTO merged with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to form the UNWTO. The merger was aimed at strengthening the organization's role in promoting sustainable tourism and facilitating cooperation between the tourism sector and other UN agencies. The UNWTO has since expanded its activities to include a wide range of issues related to tourism, such as environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and social responsibility.

Today, the UNWTO is a leading international organization for the promotion of tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. It provides leadership and support in advancing knowledge and tourism policies and serves as a global forum for tourism policy and a source of tourism research and knowledge. It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and promotes the development of sustainable tourism practices worldwide.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aims to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. To achieve these goals, the organization works towards the following objectives:

Development: UNWTO aims to promote tourism as a vehicle for economic growth and development, particularly in developing countries. The organization works to create a favorable environment for the development of the tourism industry, encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure and services.

Competitiveness: UNWTO works towards improving the competitiveness of tourism destinations by promoting innovation, investment, and technology. The organization provides technical assistance to countries to improve their tourism competitiveness and enhance their global positioning.

Innovation & Digital Transformation: UNWTO promotes innovation and digital transformation in the tourism sector, recognizing the potential of technology to improve the visitor experience and enhance tourism competitiveness. The organization provides guidance and support to countries to embrace digital transformation in the tourism industry.

Ethics: UNWTO advocates for responsible and sustainable tourism practices that respect local cultures, traditions, and the environment. The organization works to promote the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, encouraging the tourism industry to adopt responsible and sustainable practices.

Culture & Social Responsibility: UNWTO recognizes the importance of tourism in preserving and promoting cultural heritage and fostering social responsibility. The organization promotes cultural tourism as a means to enhance the visitor experience and promote sustainable tourism development.

Technical Cooperation: UNWTO provides technical assistance to countries to improve their tourism policies and practices. The organization collaborates with national and regional tourism organizations to develop and implement tourism strategies and programs.

UNWTO Academy: UNWTO provides training and education to tourism professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge. The organization offers a range of training courses and programs, including online courses, workshops, and seminars.

Statistics: UNWTO is the leading source of tourism statistics, providing reliable data and analysis on international tourism trends. The organization works to improve the quality and availability of tourism statistics to support evidence-based decision-making in the tourism industry.

To further advance these goals, UNWTO can propose initiatives such as creating more sustainable tourism practices and standards, promoting the use of renewable energy in the tourism sector, encouraging responsible tourism behavior among tourists, developing tourism in rural and remote areas to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for local communities, and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable tourism development.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has had a significant impact on the global tourism industry since its establishment in 1975. One of the primary impacts of UNWTO has been the promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism. UNWTO has played a vital role in raising awareness among tourists, governments, and industry stakeholders about the importance of sustainable tourism practices. This has resulted in a shift towards more sustainable tourism practices, including the protection of natural and cultural heritage, the promotion of community-based tourism, and the adoption of sustainable tourism development plans.

UNWTO has also been instrumental in promoting international cooperation in the tourism sector. The organization has provided a platform for countries to collaborate on tourism-related issues, including the development of joint marketing campaigns and the sharing of best practices in tourism management. UNWTO has also facilitated the exchange of tourism-related data and statistics among member states, allowing for the monitoring of tourism trends and the development of evidence-based policies.

Another impact of UNWTO has been the promotion of tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation. Through its advocacy and research, UNWTO has highlighted the significant economic benefits of tourism, particularly in developing countries. The organization has worked to increase investment in the tourism sector, improve the quality of tourism services, and create jobs in the tourism industry.

Finally, UNWTO has played a critical role in responding to crises affecting the tourism industry, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization established the Global Tourism Crisis Committee to guide the tourism sector during the pandemic, and it has worked with governments and industry stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry. UNWTO has also advocated for the safe and responsible reopening of the tourism sector, emphasizing the importance of adhering to health and safety protocols.