UN Tourism paid tribute to His Excellency Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for his outstanding work in the development and strengthening of the tourism sector during his term as President of the Government of Spain (2004-2011). His leadership was key to guaranteeing the sustained growth of tourism and consolidating Spain as a world leader in the industry.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural edition in Zimbabwe, UN Tourism, the Basque Culinary Center and the United Republic of Tanzania will host the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Arusha on 23–25 April 2025. The event is the leading UN Tourism initiative to position gastronomy tourism as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.

The United Nations has taken a major step in recognizing tourism’s role in sustainable development by adopting a new tourism employment indicator as part of the official Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicator Framework.

Uzbekistan has become the 26th country to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT).