UN Tourism announces the addition of 39 new entities from the private sector to its growing network of Affiliate Members.

The First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific will take place in Cebu, The Philippines, on 26-27 June 2024. Organized in conjunction with the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific & the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA), it will mark the first time that the Gastronomy Forum is taken to the regional level.

Tourism leaders from across the world have met again to shape the sector’s future, emphasizing the sector’s vital economic importance while also placing it firmly on the political agenda.

UN Tourism will make use of a new electronic voting system for the meetings of its key statutory meetings and other meetings of its Governing Bodies.

UN Tourism joined Qatar Tourism for the launch of the 2nd edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards at Rexios Premium Qetaifan Island North in Doha. This initiative celebrates excellence in the tourism sector, recognizing outstanding achievements, innovations and individuals that contribute to making Qatar a top global destination. 

UN Tourism is to host its first Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, advancing its work to make gastronomy tourism a pillar for sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.

UN Tourism and the German Federal Government have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with a focus on gender equality, sustainability and greater safeguarding of tourists.

UN Tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the sector’s resilience and increasing its importance for inclusive development in Small Island Developing States. 

China has recovered its position as top spender on international tourism in 2023 as Asia and the Pacific consolidates its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. In 2022, the list of top spenders was headed by the United States. France, Spain and USA took the top spots for most-visited destinations.