Executive Council - 123rd session

The leadership of UN Tourism has successfully concluded a high-profile visit to China, reinforcing strategic partnerships and advancing sustainable tourism initiatives across key regions. The visit by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili featured engagements with senior government officials, industry leaders, and international development agencies, further deepening UN Tourism’s collaboration with China.

UN Tourism has presented its “Tourism Doing Business” guidelines, focused on the opportunities for international investors in Namibia’s burgeoning tourism sector.

UN Tourism has joined the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to shift the mind-sets of destinations and businesses regarding workers and customers with disabilities.

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).

UN Tourism has officially inaugurated its Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro.

UN Tourism has returned to ITB Berlin 2025, placing the need for investments and the sector’s role as a vehicle of peace high on the agenda of the world’s biggest travel trade show.

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.