SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - UN Tourism unites 17 nations in Jakarta to boost recovery, foster innovation, and channel investments into sustainable tourism.

Tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific bounces back

UN Tourism has brought together its Member States from across Asia and the Pacific to guide the sector’s development beyond recovery and towards greater resilience and sustainability. In Jakarta, the Commission for Asia and the Pacific, alongside the Commission for South Asia, met jointly for the 37th time, with 17 countries represented.

According to UN Tourism’s data, after an initial slow recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, Asia and the Pacific has been rapidly returning to full strength. In 2024, destinations in the region welcomed 316 million international arrivals between them, equivalent to 87% of pre-pandemic numbers, and up from 66% at the end of 2023.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - Vienna Strengthens Global Commitment to Responsible Travel

Vienna has officially joined the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), becoming part of a distinguished group of 46 global destinations committed to monitoring and managing tourism’s economic, environmental, and social impacts.

A Strategic Move for Global Sustainability Leadership

Vienna’s new role within INSTO aligns with its broader sustainability vision.
“We warmly welcome Vienna to the INSTO network,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism. “By joining this global initiative This commitment to sustainability bringing value not only to individual businesses but significantly enhancing the well-being of the entire destination.”

Driving Innovation Through Dialogue and Collaboration

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - South-South tourism development took a major step forward as UN Tourism brought together nations from Africa and the Americas at the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit in Livingstone, Zambia. The event showcased solid progress on the ambitious goals of the Punta Cana Declaration, with concrete plans unveiled for innovation, investment, connectivity, and skills training in the sector.

Bold Commitments Backed by Rising Tourism Numbers
Post-pandemic recovery boosts momentum
According to UN Tourism, international arrivals surged in both regions, with Africa receiving 74 million visitors in 2024—up 7% from 2019—and the Americas welcoming 213 million, nearing pre-pandemic levels. This strong rebound highlighted the potential of enhanced regional collaboration.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - A new framework aims to transform tourism through responsible and inclusive investment practices

Introduction of the Guiding Principles

A unified commitment to sustainability
UN Tourism and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have introduced a groundbreaking roadmap to guide the global tourism sector toward sustainability. Their joint “Guiding Principles for Sustainable Investment in Tourism” serve as a strategic resource for policymakers and stakeholders, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally conscious tourism industry.

A comprehensive framework for global impact

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - Strengthening a Vision for Smarter, Sustainable Tourism

Vilnius hosts milestone partnership event

UN Tourism and the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania have launched a new collaboration to guide the future of tourism in Lithuania from 2025 to 2027. This ambitious partnership was unveiled during the official visit of UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili to Vilnius, where he met with key government and industry leaders.

"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."

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - UN Tourism Secretary-General Concludes Historic Visit to China, Boosting Global Travel Cooperation

Reinforcing Strategic Partnerships Across Regions

The UN Tourism Secretary-General’s visit to China marks a milestone in international tourism diplomacy.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, wrapped up a landmark tour through China, spotlighting enhanced cooperation, digital innovation, and shared commitments to sustainable tourism. Engaging with top-tier government officials, private sector leaders, and international development agencies, the visit emphasized China’s pivotal role in the global tourism ecosystem.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - A new initiative is spotlighting Indigenous culture and sustainability
UN Tourism and CAF – Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean have jointly launched the Indigenous Tourism Challenge – Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to celebrate Indigenous heritage through sustainable and innovative tourism projects.

Promoting authentic cultural experiences
Indigenous tourism offers travelers the chance to engage with native traditions, customs, and ancestral knowledge, allowing communities to revitalize and preserve their culture. It not only encourages intercultural exchange but also fosters the sustainable development and economic autonomy of Indigenous communities.

Focusing on sustainability and empowerment
The challenge places special emphasis on four core themes:

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - UN Tourism’s new guidelines spotlight Namibia as a rising hub for global tourism investment

A strategic push to attract international investors
UN Tourism has officially launched its “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Namibia” guidelines, a forward-looking initiative aimed at showcasing Namibia’s promising tourism sector to global investors. The presentation took place in Windhoek, aligning with the 35th Anniversary of Namibia’s Independence and marking a pivotal step toward inclusive economic development through tourism.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - Putting inclusive tourism in the spotlight

Tourism can be a catalyst for equality. Today, an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a significant disability, and a staggering 80% of them reside in developing countries and emerging destinations. When people with disabilities travel, they are typically accompanied by two to three others—highlighting a clear opportunity for destinations and businesses to expand both their workforce and customer base.

Yet persistent challenges remain. Despite some progress, people with disabilities continue to face discrimination and barriers that limit their ability to travel or secure jobs in the tourism industry. Many job seekers with disabilities do not view tourism as a realistic career option—leaving businesses at risk of missing out on valuable talent and untapped markets.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - Celebrating a legacy of leadership in tourism

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, UN Tourism welcomed His Excellency Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to its Madrid headquarters on 18 March 2025. The organization paid tribute to the former President of the Government of Spain (2004–2011) for his pivotal role in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism during his leadership.

Driving tourism growth and resilience