The General Assembly met for the 25th time in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It reflects the broad diversity of the sector, with delegations from 117 countries, including 70 Ministerial level representatives.

Today is the day we meet the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO of 2023. They represent the power of tourism to boost rural development: creating jobs, promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability, bringing people and cultures together.

The event will showcase key UNWTO activities such as the innovative education toolkit, the new Bachelor of Science in International Sustainable Tourism and additional initiatives designed by UNWTO with top industry academic partners.
The Global Forum on Education will discuss the foundations for building tourism. The forum will also take a deep into UNWTO's strategy, and the role of educational programs in shaping the future of the tourism industry alongside objectives, vision and work done holistically in terms of tourism education.

The plenary session of the general assembly continues today with its third session. Highlights of the session include the ceremony of the announcement of the hosts of World Tourism Day for 2024 and 2025, as well as the adherence of new members to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT).

The International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT) is a comprehensive set of principles and recommendations on the protection of tourists in emergency situations, not limited to pandemics, and the rights of tourists as consumers, aimed at restoring consumer confidence in travel and providing sufficient guarantees to international tourists in the post COVID-19 environment.

The UNWTO Ulysses Prize for excellence in the creation and dissemination of knowledge is awarded to a distinguished scholar for their remarkable contribution to the tourism sector. Being established in 2003, the Prize is given to a prominent representative from academia with outstanding achievements.

The tourism workshop will bring donors, private sector stakeholders and countries together to explore a common tourism development agenda and cross-border projects.

The Workshop will be divided in two sessions; one being held today and another one on Friday.