UN Tourism and the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania have agreed on a shared vision for tourism development in the country for the period 2025–2027. In addition to accelerating digital transformation, innovation and investments in the sector, the strengthened partnership will also focus on governance and destination management to ensure the continued growth of Lithuanian tourism.
The collaborative plans were set out during an official visit to Vilnius by UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, as he met with Minister of the Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julius Pranevičius, members of parliament, and key tourism stakeholders.
“Lithuania has demonstrated remarkable resilience and vision,” said Secretary-General Pololikashvili. “The country’s leadership in innovation and inclusivity sets a strong example for the region and beyond. Our cooperation reflects the shared commitment to building a smarter, more sustainable, and more competitive tourism sector.”
The country’s leadership in innovation and inclusivity sets a strong example for the region and beyond. Our cooperation reflects the shared commitment to building a smarter, more sustainable, and more competitive tourism sector
In Vilnius, UN Tourism and Lithuania agreed to deepen cooperation in several priority areas:
The Secretary-General's visit included a high-level address to the Committee on Economics at the Lithuanian Parliament, where he commended Lithuania's post-pandemic recovery, leadership in digital innovation, and efforts to ensure inclusive rural development. He also acknowledged Lithuania's proactive participation in international dialogues, including its role in the UN Tourism Executive Council.
Opening the Future Hospitality and Tourism Forum in the capital city, the Secretary-General also emphasized the importance of country's enhanced visibility on the global stage and identified opportunities to further integrate Lithuania into global tourism strategies, including UN Tourism's own work.
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.
As part of UN Tourism’s ongoing celebration of its 50th anniversary, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the importance of government support in times of crisis, and Mr. Rodríguez Zapatero's commitment to resilience and inclusion in tourism. During his tenure, international arrivals to the country increased from 52 million to 56 million visitors, reaffirming Spain as a trusted and attractive tourism destination.
His leadership laid the foundation for growth that has continued to this day. He was a true leader in achieving gender equality and accessibility, principles that are also fundamental for UN Tourism
In addition, as president, Mr. Rodríguez Zapatero pursued key policies to ensure that tourism growth benefited all of society. His landmark Law of Equality promoted women's participation in the labour market, including in the tourism sector, where many women now hold leadership positions. Likewise, his focus on accessibility has contributed to making tourism more inclusive for people with disabilities.
“His leadership laid the foundation for growth that has continued to this day. He was a true leader in achieving gender equality and accessibility, principles that are also fundamental for UN Tourism,” said Pololikashvili.
Secretary-General Pololikashvili also commended President Zapatero for his tireless work in defence of peace, both in Spain and around the world. Citing the example of Spain, he made it clear that with peace and security comes prosperity, and highlighted how regions such as the Basque Country are known for their rich culture and vibrant gastronomy.
In recognition of his commitment to tourism and its positive impact on the industry, UN Tourism presented Mr. Rodríguez Zapatero with a commemorative plaque, highlighting his legacy and contribution to a more equitable and sustainable sector.
Uzbekistan has become the 26th country to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT).
The ICPT is a unified global framework designed to protect tourists, particularly in emergency situations, and to safeguard their rights and responsibilities as consumers. By adhering to this code, Uzbekistan reinforces its dedication to enhancing guarantees and legal protections for tourists and further complements its ongoing efforts in collaboration with UN Tourism to strengthen global tourism standards.
We must continue to work collaboratively to strengthen and expand these frameworks, ensuring that all tourists, wherever they travel, are protected and safe
The Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, said: “Uzbekistan is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety, security, and quality for all visitors to our country. The International Code for the Protection of Tourists not only enhances the rights and protections of travelers but also strengthens trust in Uzbekistan as a welcoming and reliable destination. Our alignment with these global principles will further support our vision of a modern, hospitable, and competitive tourism sector that benefits both visitors and local communities.”
Uzbekistan has been at the forefront of advancing international tourism standards. Notably, the country has been a driving force in the establishment of the Committee for the development of an International Safe Tourism Code, and was unanimously elected as the Chair of the Committee at its first meeting in December 2024.
Alicia Gomez, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards at UN Tourism, adds: “The global and interconnected nature of the tourism sector makes the harmonization of international standards even more vital. Both the ICPT and the future International Safe Tourism Code are invaluable tools in this endeavor.”
UN Tourism has further strengthened its partnership with the Republic of Bulgaria, with an official visit and key meetings with its political leadership and the welcoming of football legend a philanthropist Hristo Stoichkov as a new Ambassador.
The UN Tourism official visit, led by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, was welcomed by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov for an official visit that included high-level meetings with the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs. Meetings focused on how UN Tourism can support the further growth and diversification of Bulgaria’s tourism sector, most notably through the development of cultural, culinary and wine tourism. In an official meeting with President Rumen Radev, both parties focused on supporting tourism education and growing investment into the sector, with UN Tourism committed to publishing guidelines for international investors.
The Republic of Bulgaria has established itself as one of Europe’s most exciting tourism destinations
Secretary-General Pololikashvili commended Bulgaria for its commitment to responsible and inclusive growth. He said: “The Republic of Bulgaria has established itself as one of Europe’s most exciting tourism destinations. With UN Tourism, its focus on education and training and growing investments into the sector will serve as the solid foundations for long-term sustainable growth, both in urban centres as well as rural communities.”
In Sofia, UN Tourism officially appointed Bulgarian sports legend Hristo Stoichkov its newest Special Ambassador for Sports Tourism. Over the course of his career, he represented Barcelona Football Club, won the Golden Boot at the 1994 World Cup and played in Italy, Saudi Arabia and the USA. Since retiring from the game, he has worked tirelessly as a philanthropist and a supporter of youth empowerment through sport.
As a Special Ambassador, Stoichkov will help further advance UN Tourism’s work on growing sports tourism as a driver of inclusive opportunity and economic diversification. He will also bring his influence and insights into UN Tourism’s work to promote tourism education in schools everywhere and make the sector a key pillar of opportunity for global youth.
Also in Sofia, the UN Tourism leadership met with Miroslav Borshosh, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, to sign a Letter of Intent for future cooperation. With Bulgaria having entered into the Schengen Zone at the start of 2025, with an expected upturn in arrivals, the two parties will work to grow and direct investments into Bulgaria’s tourism sector, a key priority for UN Tourism and its Member States both in Europe and globally. The discussions explored the potential for an Investment Forum to be held in Bulgaria, recognizing its status as a regional leader.
The enhanced collaboration will also focus on another key priority for the sector, promoting education and continued training in the sector. At the same time, the growing importance of spa tourism was discussed, recognizing the natural resources of the country. Finally, with a focus on supporting the diversification and rural development, the two parties agreed that the 9th edition of the UN Tourism Global Wine Tourism Conference will be held in the city of Plovdiv, with the date to be confirmed.
Meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Georg Georgiev, similarly explored avenues for strengthening cooperation and enhancing tourism as a pillar of growth for the country and a tool for regional cooperation and peace.
In recognition of his work to support Bulgaria, Secretary-General Pololikashvili was awarded by the Head of State with the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius, first class.
In Partnership With:
Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova; Invest Moldova Agency; Moldova State University, USAID Moldova
Duration: 22- 27 October 2024
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
The project on "Empowering Young Women: Sustainable Livelihoods through Tourism in the Republic of Moldova" was successfully completed in June 2024. Project components included a rapid assessment on gender equality in tourism and the necessary training needs, a Training of Trainers course for 5 female trainers specialized in gender equality, the delivery of 11 tourism skills training to 256 female entrepreneurs on topics ranging from food safety and hygiene to financial management and digital marketing; and 4 online courses on tourism and gender equality to a group of 47 tourism stakeholders.
International Recognition at Economic Conference
From October 24–25, 2024, the project's successes were showcased at the International Conference on Modern Paradigms in the Development of the National and World Economy, organized by Moldova State University. The event attracted over 120 participants from 17 countries, including representatives from 27 educational institutions and various tourism associations.
This platform allowed for the dissemination of the project's impactful results to a global audience, highlighting how empowering women in tourism can drive economic development and foster social progress. The conference underscored Moldova's commitment to sustainable tourism and gender equality, positioning the country as a leader in these fields.
Building Strategic Partnerships for Future Growth
Capitalizing on the project's momentum, UN Tourism engaged in strategic discussions with key stakeholders to explore opportunities for further collaboration:
Exploring Critical Collaboration Areas
Specific meetings identified key areas for future collaboration:
The success of the "Empowering Young Women: Sustainable Livelihoods through Tourism" project marks a significant milestone in Moldova's journey toward sustainable development and gender equality. By equipping young women with vital skills and fostering strategic partnerships, the initiative has set a precedent for future projects that can drive economic growth and social advancement.
UN Tourism is committed to continuing its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and other partners to formulate a series of proposals, creating good opportunities to expand UN Tourism's work in the field of sustainable tourism development and women empowerment in the country.
UN Tourism and the European Accessibility Resource Centre (AccessibleEU) have joined accessible tourism champions to advance policies, standards, incentives, skills and business strategies, making inclusion a reality for millions of people.
The latest report into the topic, "Advancing Accessible Tourism for Destinations, Companies, and People", produced with the Government of San Marino and AccessibleEU, showcases 25 good practices in accessibility championed by Belgium, Czechia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. It also provides insights into accessibility improvements in culture- and nature-based tourism, festivals and pilgrimage routes, urban and rural experiences, sports and mega events, shopping tourism and transportation.
The report was officially launched at the 2025 FITUR international tourism trade fair. FITUR also served as the platform for continued public-private dialogue into further promoting inclusive and accessible tourism for all.
A special side event, hosted by UN Tourism and AccessibleEU with support from the ONCE Foundation, the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), and ILUNION Accesibilidad, celebrated two decades of achievements in accessible tourism.
The seminar "Accessible Tourism: Harnessing the Benefits of Inclusive Destinations for Companies and People" featured debates engaging high-level policymakers from UN Tourism Member States, including Ecuador, Italy, and Portugal, alongside accessibility leaders from Málaga and Berlin, part of the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).
Governments and promotion boards emphasized the importance of:
UN Tourism's Affiliate Members and strategic partners in sustainability agenda – the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WHSA) – along with leading tour operators and transportation companies like IMPULSA Igualdad (Spain), Sage Travelling (USA), and Holmeswood Coaches (UK), called for:
