Travel Tips

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – January 26, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING Jan. 26, 2025 –  The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) marked a significant presence at the FITUR international trade fair in Madrid, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and investment in driving the tourism sector forward.1 The event, which ran from January 22-26, 2025, saw UNWTO celebrate its 50th anniversary and reaffirm its commitment to making tourism a catalyst for peace and understanding.2

FITUR 2025: A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – January 23, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Jan. 23, 2025 – UN Tourism and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) have formalized a partnership to bolster sustainable tourism and enhance the visibility of the region's unique brand.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Tourism Growth

This collaboration, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados, aims to leverage the Regional Brand of Latin American and the Caribbean to attract investment, foster partnerships, and drive sustainable tourism development.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 12, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 12, 2024 – The First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development, co-hosted by UN Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, recently concluded in Hoi An. This landmark event brought together key stakeholders from around the world to explore the power of tourism to drive sustainable development and empower rural communities.

Empowering Communities Through Tourism

The conference emphasized the vital role tourism plays in creating jobs, protecting natural and cultural heritage, and promoting social inclusion in rural areas. Discussions focused on empowering local communities, particularly women and youth, to actively participate in and benefit from tourism development.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 5, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 5, 2024 – The global tourism industry is poised for a remarkable comeback, with international tourist arrivals expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, the sector has already recovered 98% of its pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating resilience in the face of economic, geopolitical, and climate challenges.

Tourism Spending Shows Strong Growth

The report reveals that international tourism spending is growing even faster than arrivals, signaling a positive trend for economies worldwide. "The fact that visitor spending is growing even stronger than arrivals has a direct impact on millions of jobs and small businesses and contributes decisively to the balance of payments and tax revenues of many economies," says UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 5, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 5, 2024 – In a world where accessibility is increasingly recognized as a fundamental right, UN Tourism has highlighted the transformative power of accessible travel for destinations and businesses worldwide. With over 1.3 billion people experiencing significant disabilities and a growing aging population, the demand for accessible tourism is on the rise.

The Benefits of Accessible Tourism

Investing in accessibility is not just about inclusivity; it's a strategic decision that can yield significant economic and social benefits. Accessible tourism can:

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 5, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 5, 2024 – The UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism have reinforced their commitment to collaborate on key initiatives aimed at advancing global tourism. This strengthened partnership seeks to leverage tourism's potential as a driver of economic growth, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

High-Level Meeting in Beijing

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili recently met with China's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli, in Beijing to discuss shared priorities and advance the global tourism agenda. The meeting focused on key areas such as:

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 30, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 30, 2024 - The city of Córdoba, Argentina, recently hosted the 2nd International Seminar on Tourism Law, a collaborative effort between UN Tourism, Universidad Siglo 21, and Agencia Córdoba Turismo. Held on November 26th and 27th, 2024, the seminar brought together leading experts to discuss the crucial role of law in promoting sustainable, inclusive, and accessible tourism for all.

Tourism: An Engine for Growth and Sustainability

The seminar emphasized the importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth and sustainable development. It highlighted the need for legal frameworks that support responsible tourism practices and ensure the long-term health of the industry and the destinations it serves.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 30, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 29, 2024 - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has announced a Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, calling on startups and scale-ups to showcase innovative solutions that can transform the tourism sector. This exciting initiative seeks to harness the power of AI to enhance the travel experience, promote sustainability, and drive economic growth.

AI: The Future of Tourism

The challenge focuses on leveraging AI across various aspects of the tourism industry, including:

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 30, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 29, 2024 - Madrid, Spain, is set to become the global epicenter of sports tourism as it hosts the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) on November 28-29, 2024. Held at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, this prestigious event, organized by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Government of the Region of Madrid, will bring together leading figures in sports tourism to discuss the future of this dynamic sector.

Creating a Lasting Legacy

The congress, themed "Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations," will explore the role of sports tourism in fostering sustainable growth and development. Attendees will include government officials, industry experts, and celebrated athletes, all gathering to share insights and strategies for maximizing the positive impact of sports tourism.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 - In a historic moment for the tourism industry, more than 50 countries have endorsed a landmark declaration for enhanced climate action in tourism at COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference. This unprecedented commitment signifies a turning point in recognizing the crucial role of the tourism sector in addressing climate change.

Tourism Day at COP29

For the first time in the history of the summit, COP29 featured a dedicated Tourism Day, culminating in a Ministerial Meeting focused on aligning tourism policies with national climate goals. Over 700 stakeholders participated in the day's events, which highlighted the significant impact of climate change on tourism and the sector's potential to contribute to climate solutions.

Governments Unite for Climate Action