UN Tourism Executive Council Looks to Innovation and Investment-Driven Future

• All Regions
• 18 Nov 2024

UN Tourism’s Executive Council has met again to jointly advance the transformation of the sector.

With the latest UN Tourism Data showing that the sector is on track to reach 96% recovery of pre-pandemic numbers by the end of the year, the 122nd Session of the Executive Council looked to the future, with investments and innovation high on the agenda. The Session welcomed representatives of 47 countries, including 21 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, alongside key strategic partners from the private sector, civil society and international finance.

Opening the session, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the example set by Colombia in "betting on tourism" to provide a better future for the country, including for previously-marginalized groups. He said: "Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change."

The Secretary-General then presented his report to Members. The report sets out the progress made in advancing the Organization's work since the Council last met, again with a special emphasis on the shared priorities of investments into tourism, education and accelerating innovation across the sector. 

Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change

Advancing shared goals

In Cartagena, the Members of the Executive Council advanced plans to build a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking sector, with a focus on:

• Innovation: UN Tourism is the global leader in innovation in the sector. Executive Council Members were given an overview of key achievements in this area, including the continued success of its Challenges and Competitions, designed to identify and support the best new ideas and talent. In Cartagena, the winners of two new competitions, the Green Projects Challenge and the Community Tourism Challenge, were formally announced.
• Investment: In Cartagena, UN Tourism will present its Tourism Doing Business Guidelines: Investing in Colombia. The publication series continues to grow, with a further 28 editions, each focusing on investment opportunities in a specific destination, now planned. Also in Cartagena, UN Tourism will host a landmark Global Forum on Investment and Innovation to conclude the Executive Council meeting.
• Education: Executive Council Members were brought up-to-date with UN Tourism's leading work in promoting tourism education and training at every level. Key advances include the continued rolling out of the Education Toolkit, designed to help Member States introduce tourism as a subject in high schools, as well as the ongoing success of the UN Tourism Online Academy and the growing global network of International Academies in Association With UN Tourism.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

Within the framework of the 122nd Executive Council, UN Tourism further advanced its work building strong partnerships around shared goals. A special networking session of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members focused on Tourism of the Future: Moving Towards the Sustainable Development Goals, bringing together destinations, private sector leaders and civil society stakeholders.

Best Tourism Villages 2024 announced

During the Executive Council, UN Tourism announced the latest additions to its growing Best Tourism Villages network. For the 2024 edition, a further 55 rural destinations were awarded the title, recognizing their leading work in harnessing the power of tourism to create local opportunities as well as preserving and celebrating natural and cultural heritage.

Related links

• Download the News Release on PDF
• Executive Council - 122nd session
• UN Tourism awards the most innovative community projects in Colombia
• UN Tourism Announces Best Tourism Villages 2024

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UN Tourism Welcomes New Affiliate Members, Surpassing 500 Entities Globally

• All Regions
• 20 Nov 2024

UN Tourism has welcomed 27 new entities to its growing network of Affiliate Members.

The new Members combine a wide range of profiles with diverse backgrounds and types of business: Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), for-profit companies, associations and NGOs, universities and other profiles. In terms of geographical distribution, they come from 16 different countries, representing all the regions: 5 from Africa, 8 from the Americas, 2 from Asia and the Pacific, 6 from Europe, and 6 from the Middle East.
 
“The incorporation of such a valuable and solid group of new Affiliate Members reflects our commitment to amplifying and fostering a high-quality and geographically diverse global network of affiliated entities within the global tourism ecosystem, now comprising 505 entities. Strengthening connections across both public and private sectors is essential for building a more inclusive and responsible tourism sector.” said UN Tourism Director of the Affiliate Members and Public-Private Collaboration Department, Ion Vilcu.

The 27 new Affiliate Members are:

1. ABAV - Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies
2. Association of travel & tourism agents in Iraq
3. Association Régionale de l'Industrie Hôtelière Marrakech-Safi
4. Buró de Congresos y Visitantes de Aguascalientes
5. China Tourism Group Corporation Limited
6. Consejo Federal de Inversiones
7. Corporación Turismo Cartagena de Indias
8. Enjoytravel Corporate SL
9. Escuela Universitaria de Hotelería y Turismo de Sant Pol de Mar (Barcelona)
10. Fideicomiso de Promoción Turística del Estado de Nayarit
11. Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department
12. Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute
13. Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
14. ICL Tours and Travels LLC
15. International Masters Games Association
16. Kuoni Global Travel Services (Schweiz) AG
17. Levantur S.A.
18. Navarra Impulsa Cultura, Deporte y Ocio S.L.
19. Observatoire du Tourisme du Maroc
20. Rocket DMC International - FZCO
21. Royal Jordanian RJ
22. Saudi Tourism Authority
23. TORNUS Agencia Creativa de Turismo
24. Universidad Ean
25. University of South Florida School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
26. World Tourism Alliance
27. Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors Ltd.

Under the current admission procedure, the candidatures were submitted for consideration and approval of the Executive Council. These candidatures are the results of the implementation of the expansion strategy of the Affiliate Membership, aiming at improving the quality and geographical balance of the affiliates’ network.

The admission of these new members was endorsed during the 122nd Session of the Executive Council, which took place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 14 November.

Related links

• Download the Nes Release on PDF
• Affiliate Members
• Executive Council – 122nd session

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Global greenfield Investment in tourism Reflects Resilience and Shift Toward Sustainability in 2024

• All Regions
• 19 Nov 2024

Greenfield investments into the tourism sector continue to rise, with a growing interest in projects related to sustainability and innovation.

The latest fDi Tourism Investment Report 2024 ("Global greenfield investment trends in tourism"), released by the Financial Times in collaboration with UN Tourism and with the support of the Diriyah Gate Company, offers an in-depth look at global greenfield investment trends in tourism, emphasizing recovery from the pandemic and outlining current developments.

According to the report, the tourism sector (international tourist arrivals and receipts) showed strong growth in 2023, with international tourism receipts already +3% up compared with the level of 2019 (a record high for the sector).

More and better-targeted investment will be key to transforming the tourism sector, creating jobs, and driving inclusive and sustainable growth

Foreign investors announced a total of 1,943 FDI projects in the tourism cluster between 2019 and2023 according to fDi Markets, the greenfield investment monitor of the Financial Times. These projects garnered an estimated $106.7bn in capital investment and created an estimated 259,800 jobs. Even though tourism investments have not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, the future of the sector looks positive.

Regional Highlights and Trends

The fDi Tourism Investment Report underscores the regional differences in FDI recovery within the tourism sector:

• Europe: Leading in global tourism FDI projects, Europe attracted 867 projects between 2019 and 2023, accounting for 44.6% of total global investment, highlighting its resilience in a cautious investment climate.
• Asia-Pacific: The number of tourism FDI projects in the region grew by 59.5% between 2022 and 2023, from 42 to 67, with capital investment rising by 125.3%, a positive sign taking into account that the Asia and the Pacific Region has just received 65.4% of the international tourist arrivals registered in 2019.
• Latin America and the Caribbean attracted 221 tourism FDI projects between 2019 and 2023. This resulted in $20.5bn in capital investment and approximately 73,400 jobs. As the region has already surpassed 2019 international tourist arrives levels, this gives a positive investor confidence in the region's tourism sector's long term profitability
• Middle East and Africa: Between 2019 and 2023, the Middle East and Africa recorded 314 tourism FDI projects, totalling an estimated $18.1bn in capital investment and creating approximately 40,700 jobs. The number of tourism FDI projects in the region increased by 16.1%between 2022 and 2023, from 62 to 72, with capital investment growing by 12.2%.

Sustainability and Innovation in Focus

The report identifies an increasing focus on sustainable tourism investments, as destinations leverage innovation and technology, including AI and blockchain, to reduce environmental impact while enhancing visitor experiences, and the growing involvement and appetite of sovereign wealth funds, as they believe that the long term future of the tourism sector looks positive and profitable.

A Call for Sustainable Growth

In light of the industry's complex recovery, the fDi Tourism Investment Report 2024 advocates for quality over quantity in tourism. It suggests that diversification of destinations, implementation of eco-friendly policies, and advancements in sustainable infrastructure are essential for ensuring long-term growth in global tourism.

Jacopo Dettoni, Editor-in-Chief at fDi Intelligence, emphasized the significance of sustainable tourism, noting, "The world we live in has changed, and so must our approach to tourism. Climate change and resource management are reshaping how and where people travel, which calls for a responsible shift toward sustainable investments."

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The rise of new technologies and the need for greater sustainability are constantly impacting the tourism sector, presenting both opportunities and challenges that call for innovative approaches. More and better-targeted investment will be key to transforming the tourism sector, creating jobs, and driving inclusive and sustainable growth."

UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona adds: "This report offers a comprehensive, data-backed perspective on the state of play in greenfield tourism investments, enabling policymakers and industry leaders to make sound, future-oriented decisions for sustainable growth. Investing in people, particularly younger generations, is key as the tourism industry employs more than 50% of the global workforce under the age of 25. As we move forward, our focus on innovation and strategic investments will adapt to the evolving needs of travellers, support community wellbeing, and ensure the sustainability of the sector and our planet."

Related Links

• Donwload th News Release on PDF
• fDi Tourism Investment Report 2024 (“Global greenfield investment trends in tourism”)
• UN Tourism: Investment Guidelines

UN Tourism Announces Best Tourism Villages 2024: 55 Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Sustainable Travel

• All Regions
• 15 Nov 2024

From Caviahue-Copahue in Argentina to Tra Que Vegetable Village in Viet Nam, discover the 55 new Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism.

Rural destinations consolidate their position as key players in sustainable tourism and community development as UN Tourism announces its Best Tourism Villages 2024.

In this fourth edition, 55 villages from all regions received the recognition, chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages were chosen to join the Upgrade Programme.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism

“Tourism is a vital tool for inclusion, empowering rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism. By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being, demonstrating that sustainable practices can lead to a brighter future for all.”

The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative was launched in 2021 to advance tourism’s role in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions. The Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network grows every year, and with the announcement of its 75 new members, 254 villages are now part of the largest community of rural destinations in the world.

Uniting Rural Destinations for Sustainable Development

The Best Tourism Villages initiative is part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The Programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism, and encourage sustainable practices.

As in previous editions, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas:

1. Cultural and Natural Resources
2. Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
3. Economic Sustainability
4. Social Sustainability
5. Environmental Sustainability
6. Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
7. Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
8. Infrastructure and Connectivity
9. Health, Safety, and Security

The initiative comprises three pillars:

• Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
• Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme: Supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping them improve in areas identified as weakness during evaluation.
• The Best Tourism Villages Network: A space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, and it is open to contributions from experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.

The 55 Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2024 are (in alphabetical order):

From Fast Track to Recognition

This year seven villages from the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme have achieved recognition as Best Tourism Villages. Through the Upgrade Programme villages received mentorship to improve their lowest-scored areas of evaluation and were able to apply through a fast-track process and qualify for Best Tourism Village recognition.

These outstanding villages include Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).

The 20 villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year are:

The call for submissions for the fifth edition will take place in early 2025, opening a new opportunity for rural destinations to share their inspiring initiatives and get global recognition as rural development champions.

Applications in 2023 and 2024 were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board. The composition of this multidisciplinary board for 2023-2024 is as follows:

• Ms. Aurkene Alzua-Sorzabal - Universidad de Nebrija, Spain (2023-2024)
• Mr. Federico Arteaga Vidiella – PhD, Innovation Sustainability (2023-2024)
• Prof. Jim Ayorekire - Makerere University (Uganda) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Greg Bakunzi - Red Rocks Foundation (2024)
• Mr. Joel Callañaupa – Planeterra (2023-2024)
• Prof. Joseph M. Cheer - Western Sydney University, Australia (2023-2024)
• Ms. Mari Dunleavy - Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Michel Durrieu - Huttopia International (2023-2024)
• Mr. Ahmed Eiweida - World Bank, Vietnam (2023-2024)
• Ms. Maria Gafo - Rural Development, European Commission (2024)
• Ms. Elena García Garrido - EU CAP Network (2023-2024)
• Dr. Rhea George - Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Christian Gsodam - European External Action Services (EEAS) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Antonio Guevara - Universidad de Málaga (2023-2024)
• Mr. Javier Guillermo - Virtuoso Travel (2024)
• Mr. Amran Hamzah - Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2023-2024)
• Ms. Manal Kelig - Adventure Travel Trade Association (2023-2024)
• Ms. Judy Kepher-Gona - Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda (STTA) (2023)
• Ms. Sara King - Intrepid Travel (2023-2024)
• Ms. Denise Urias Levy - Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Fergus Maclaren - International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) (2023-2024)
• Mr. David Mora Gómez - Basque Culinary Center (2023-2024)
• Ms. Ximena Muñoz Vivas - Instituto Design Thinking (2023-2024)
• Ms. María José Murciano - Red Española de Desarrollo Rural (REDR) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Michael Neligwa – Tanzania Communication and Visibility Expert (2024)
• Mr. Jost Neumann - TUI Care Foundation (2023-2024)
• Mr. Fabrizio Angelo Orlando – TripAdvisor (2023-2024)
• Dr. Hanqin QIU - Hangzhou City University (2024)
• Mr. Lázaro Israel Rodríguez - (2023-2024)
• Ms. Andreia Roque - Brasil Rural (2024)
• Ms. Isabel Sánchez Tejado - Escuela de Turismo Generativo, Spain (2024)
• Ms. Sylvia Sáurez - Universidad Lead Costa Rica (2023-2024)
• Mr. Menno Stokman - CELTH (Center of Expertise – Leisure, Tourism, Hospitality) (2023-2024)
• Ms. Claudia Toselli - International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) (2023-2024)
• Mr. Kazem Vafadari - Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan (2023-2024)
• Mr. Endo Yoshihide - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2023-2024)

A special appreciation to the late Dr. Carmen Nibigira, Tourism and Hospitality Expert who was part of the Advisory Board for the 2023-2024 period. UN Tourism expresses its sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Related links:

• Download the News Release on PDF
• Best Tourism Villages 2024 Edition: Recognized Villages Booklet
• Best Tourism Villages website
• Rural Tourism

Three UN Agencies United to Advance Sustainable Urban Tourism

• All Regions
• 13 Nov 2024

UN Tourism, UN-Habitat, and UNESCO came together at the World Urban Forum to host a side event under the theme Urban Tourism: Policies and Governance for More Sustainable, Inclusive, Creative, and Resilient Cities.

From the interconnection of their mandates, this is the first time that three UN Agencies join forces at the World Urban Forum to stimulate dialogue and call for cooperation to help drive sustainable urban tourism.

The event builds upon the innovative and successful partnership between UN-Habitat and UN Tourism. The agencies organized, with the support of the Basque Government,  an  Expert Group Meeting on Advancing Sustainable Urban Tourism: Tools for promoting good practices in cities and territories" (Bilbao, 21-22 March 2024) where UN agencies including UNESCO, representatives of national, regional, and local governments, academy, private sector and civil society, debated how to build better policies and governance for urban tourism in a way that benefits all. The final conclusions of this meeting were presented at the event, which served a baseline for further action.

Tourism, Culture, and Creativity: Catalysts for Urban Regeneration

Mayors from Granada (Spain), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), Madrid (Spain), Porto (Portugal) and the Councillor Member of the Mayoral Committee – Human Settlements of Buffalo City (South Africa) shared their vision of how tourism drives economic and social development in their respective cities. They emphasized tourism's role in advancing urban infrastructure, accessibility, preserving and promoting cultural and natural assets, stimulating creative industries and regenerating neglected areas, eventually transforming their cities into better places.

Yet, they also stressed that to reach its full potential, tourism must be developed sustainably across economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions and emphasized that this requires a holistic, multisectoral governance and approach that embeds tourism and culture within the urban and territorial planning addressing the diverse needs of all stakeholders, namely local communities.

Culture-driven Urban Solutions

As part of this strategic partnership, a series of Urban Solutions: Culture-Driven Sustainable Urban Tourism will be launched in the following weeks. Developed by UNESCO, in collaboration with UN Tourism and UN-Habitat, these solutions aim to place culture at the heart of sustainable urban tourism policies and strategies, blending cultural heritage, creativity, and local traditions, to foster inclusive growth. These solutions will help transform tourism into a powerful catalyst for positive change.

The three UN agencies will continue exploring ways of collaboration, from the tourism, territory and culture, intersection towards creating more sustainable, resilient, creative, and inclusive cities and territories, accelerating the localization of the SDGs and implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Related links

• Download the News Release on PDF
• World Urban Forum
• Report: Advancing Sustainable Urban Tourism

UN Tourism to host First Global Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Vietnam

• All Regions
• 12 Nov 2024

UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, will convene global and local leaders, policy makers, and industry pioneers for the First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development (Hoi An, Viet Nam 9-11 December).

The Conference will bring together representatives from national and local governments, international organizations, and the private sector to showcase around a shared vision for tourism as a catalyst for rural upliftment and inclusive development. Centered on empowering local communities, it will showcase best practices and strategies designed to create enduring, positive change. Sessions will explore how equitable tourism can generate jobs, safeguard cultural and natural resources, and foster social inclusion, with particular emphasis on supporting women and youth. Topics under discussion include adequate policy framework, financing, market access, product development, the links with agriculture and governance.

Inclusive Community Empowerment at the Forefront

One of the conference’s main themes will be the role of communities in sustainable tourism development in rural areas. By encouraging local participation in tourism planning and development, the event aims to help rural communities harness tourism in ways that are economically beneficial and culturally and environmentally respectful. Special attention will be given to involving local communities in governance and decision-making processes to achieve equitable tourism benefits.

Milestone Gathering for the Best Tourism Villages Network

On the occasion of the conference, the Second Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network will take place. This gathering will offer members of the Best Tourism Villages Network the chance to share experiences and discuss the progress of the Network and how this unique and most global hub of local destinations can enhance their work.

Fostering Partnerships and Building a Sustainable Future

With participation from rural tourism stakeholders worldwide, including UN agencies, financial institutions, community leaders, and businesses, the conference aims to strengthen partnerships for rural tourism. It will offer a forum for exchanging knowledge and best practices, with the goal of ensuring that tourism not only drives economic development but also safeguards the cultural and environmental heritage that defines rural destinations.

The three-day event will feature a series of high-impact panels, keynote addresses, and fireside chats, culminating in a technical tour of Hoi An’s own community-led tourism initiatives, highlighting how the town has successfully integrated tourism with local agricultural and cultural practices.

Related links

• Downlod the News Release on PDF
• First UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development and Second Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network
• Registration form

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COP29 to Feature Thematic Day on Climate Change and Tourism for the First Time

• All Regions
• 11 Nov 2024

Tourism’s place in global climate action will be center stage on 20 November at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the COP29 Presidential Initiatives. This achievement was welcomed by the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Belem, Brazil.

For the first time, the UN Climate Change conference of the parties will welcome Tourism Ministers, placing the sector firmly within the COP29 Action Agenda and providing a high-level platform for dialogue – at the initiative and joint leadership  of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). 

This achievement reflects the leading role played by UN Tourism in a shift for a science-based approach to guide the sector on tourism climate action, and builds on the efforts of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative, which is implemented within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme. The collaboration of committed Member States and tourism stakeholders, and the support provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have been instrumental in achieving this landmark momentum for the tourism sector at COP29.

Scheduled for 20th November, the First Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action in Tourism will be followed by three high-level thematic roundtables on measurement and decarbonization, regeneration (adaptation) and finance and innovative solutions, building towards a bold tourism climate agenda for good.

Access the Programme of Events here.

Baku Declaration: Tourism steps up its ambitions

The COP29 Presidency, will lead the launch of the Baku Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism. The Declaration is a call to action in response to the need to develop more economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, as called for by UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, UNFCCC's Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell and UN Tourism Secretary – General, Zurab Pololikashvili. In Baku, government representatives will be encouraged to endorse the Declaration and set out their plans to connect tourism policies and efforts with national climate goals and the UN Climate Change Agenda. UN Tourism and the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan will be releasing for public consultation a Position Paper on Exploring Opportunities to Integrate Tourism in NDCs, in a nationally determined manner.

To endorse the Baku Declaration, please send an official written communication (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to tourism@cop29.az The full text of the Baku Declaration is available here (see Annex 9 on page 20).

Boosting Engagement and Accountability

Two of UN Tourism's flagship sustainability initiatives will also feature in the Thematic Day, with stakeholders urged to take action.

The Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism, is a voluntary commitment launched at COP26, implemented within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, and recognized as a Global Climate Action initiative by UNFCCC. At COP29, the Glasgow Declaration Initiative is to be given fresh impetus to include additional signatories, especially focusing on its positioning as a tool to support the implementation of national climate policies through tourism climate action structured around five strategic pathways: measurement, decarbonization, regeneration/adaptation, collaboration and finance.

To join the Glasgow Declaration Initiative and become part of a multi-stakeholder network of over 900 organizations collectively working on climate action, please visit Glasgow Declaration Initiative page.

Also in Baku, the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST), adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in February 2024, will be formally acknowledged as the tool to measure the sector's climate action impacts. The MST Framework is a living example of moving beyond GDP to also include environmental data, such as GHG emissions and energy use. In recognition of this, MST will be positioned in its capacity to drive the production of more trustworthy, country-owned and internationally comparable data on the impact of tourism on climate change, laying the necessary foundation for progress in the mitigation of tourism-related GHG emissions and energy efficiency.

Click here to find out more about the Statistical Framework on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism

A COP29 Legacy for Enhanced Climate Action

As part of the plans to continue accelerating climate action in tourism, COP29 delegates will be discussing a coordination mechanism and partnership envisaged, led by UN Tourism with the UN System, multilateral partners, the industry, academia and other key stakeholders to ensure coherence and alignment to advance a science-based agenda for positive impact.   

Related links

• Download News Release on PDF
• UN Climate Change COP29 Thematic Day on Tourism
• COP29 Declarations and Pledges Letter
• The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
• Statistical Framework on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism

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Kick-off in Madrid: 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress Set to Unite Global Leaders

• All Regions
• 11 Nov 2024

The third edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, returns on 28 and 29 November at the famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

For two days, under the theme "Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations", the congress will bring together leading personalities from the worlds of sport and tourism to share innovative ideas, best practices, and knowledge on the subject, including its economic impact, its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strategies to effectively promote destinations through sport events and sponsorships.

Sports Tourism has the potential to drive social, economic, and environmental initiatives, accelerate development, and create a lasting positive legacy on destinations. This year, the WSTC has crafted a comprehensive experience that will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and personal testimonials from key figures from the Sports Tourism industry and UN Tourism Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism.

The focus will encompass a range of topics, including the integration of Sports Tourism into government agendas, the importance of the afterlife of sport infrastructures, key success factors for hosting sports events, effective sponsorship strategies, the growing trend of hosting amateur sports events among others. This year's edition will count on the knowledge and expertise of organizations such as the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Global Sports Innovation Center, the International Master Games Association, and many other leading organizations

The World Sports Tourism Congress Over the Years

Following the success of the inaugural edition in Lloret de Mar in 2021 and the second edition in Zadar, Croatia, in 2023, the WSTC continues raising awareness about the vital role of Sports Tourism in driving economic growth and social development in various destinations. In addition to evaluating the impacts of this expanding sector, the Congress also examines its potential benefits, such as its connections to health and well-being, as well as its significance in promoting destinations to larger and more diverse audiences.

Related links

• Download News Release on PDF
• 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress
• 2nd World Sports Tourism Congress
• 1st World Sports Tourism Congress
• Affiliate Members

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