Tourism leaders from across the world met in the 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council to discuss sector’s future, its vital economic importance while also placing it firmly on the political agenda.

Representatives from 47 nations, including 18 ministers of tourism, attended the 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council at Barcelona in Spain to discuss the key tourism trends as it recovers from the pandemic hiatus.

According to a press statement, at the meeting UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need to embrace innovation and grow and direct investment into the sector in order to drive its positive transformation.

“With tourism having bounced back from the biggest crisis in its history, now is the time to channel our energy into building greater resilience against any future shocks,” Pololikashvili said.

“At the same time, we must ensure tourism’s growth benefits people everywhere, above all by expanding access to education and job opportunities and harnessing the power of new technology,” he added.

According to UN Tourism data, around 285 million tourists travelled internationally in the first quarter of 2024, 20 pc more than the same period of last year, while international tourism receipts grew back to USD 1.5 trillion in 2023.

The statement adds that the Secretary-General also summarised the progress since the Council last meet, with a special emphasis on the shared priorities of investments in tourism, education and accelerating innovation across the sector.

UN Tourism says that members also adopted the Work Plan for the UN Tourism Agenda for Europe, including three projects focussed on the future of winter travel destinations, the regulation of short-term rental platforms and strategies to mitigate the effects of green investments on tourism SMEs.

“Chairing the UN Tourism 121st Executive Council Meeting was a monumental moment for us, uniting global leaders to tackle the pressing challenges in tourism and progress the industry forward. This gathering underscored our collective vision for a dynamic and flourishing global tourism sector, fuelled by innovation, investment, growth, and strategic partnerships,” says Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of the Executive Council of UN Tourism and Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.

First Tourism Law Observatory Added to Growing Global Presence

The statement adds that the Executive Council took a significant step forward in UN Tourism’s commitment to creating a harmonised legal framework for the global sector in order to boost confidence in international travel.

At the most recent meeting of the UN Tourism’s Regional Commission for the Americas in Cuba, members supported the candidature of Uruguay to host the ‘Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean’ in Montevideo.

The Executive Council has approved the decision for the legal hub, setting in motion work to add to UN Tourism’s growing portfolio of Regional and Thematic Offices as it continues to move closer to its Members on the Ground.

In Barcelona, the Executive Council was updated on the planned Regional Office for Africa, to be opened in Marrakesh, and the Regional Office for the Americas, to be located in Rio de Janeiro.

The statement adds that the UN Tourism leadership has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism of Greece to establish a Research and Monitoring Centre for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Urban tourism agenda

UN Tourism says it has recognised the management of urban tourism as one of the “pressing challenges” referenced by the Chair, commended Spain’s leadership in advancing sustainable tourism and Barcelona for taking the lead in shaping responsible and inclusive urban tourism practices.

Meeting with UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili and Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu, on the sidelines of the Executive Council, Mayor Collboni underscored the importance of tourism for Barcelona, while also outlining plans to manage the sector’s growth and potentially place limits on visitor numbers.

The statement adds that Mayor Collboni also set out plans to organise a special forum for city leaders from across the world to meet to debate the key themes relating to urban tourism and the need to boost private sector involvement.

It adds that Minister Hereu announced that the Government of Spain will present its 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Tourism at the next meeting of the Spanish Tourism Council, to be held in the coming weeks.

The statement adds that UN Tourism members have confirmed that the 122nd session will be held at Cartagena de India in Colombia. The 123rd will be hosted by Spain in the first semester of 2025 and the 124th session by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the second semester of 2025.