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SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 - UN Tourism has significantly expanded its global network with the addition of 27 new Affiliate Members, representing a diverse range of organizations from 16 countries across all regions. This brings the total number of Affiliate Members to 505, solidifying UN Tourism's commitment to fostering collaboration and promoting responsible tourism practices worldwide.

A Diverse and Growing Network

The new Affiliate Members represent a wide array of profiles, including destination management organizations (DMOs), private sector companies, associations, NGOs, universities, and more. This diverse membership base strengthens UN Tourism's ability to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the global tourism industry.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 26, 2024 - Despite the challenges faced in recent years, the tourism sector is demonstrating resilience and a renewed focus on sustainability, as revealed in the latest fDi Tourism Investment Report 2024. Released by the Financial Times in collaboration with UN Tourism, the report highlights a growing trend of greenfield investments in tourism, with a particular emphasis on projects that prioritize sustainability and innovation.

Tourism Sector Shows Strong Growth

The report indicates that the tourism sector experienced robust growth in 2023, with international tourism receipts exceeding 2019 levels by 3%. This positive trend signals a strong recovery from the pandemic and renewed confidence in the future of tourism.

Greenfield Investment on the Rise

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 19, 2024 – The UN Tourism Executive Council convened in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, for its 122nd session, bringing together representatives from 47 countries and key stakeholders to shape the future of the tourism sector. With global tourism nearing a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels, the council focused on strategies to drive innovation and investment in the industry.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended Colombia's commitment to tourism development, highlighting its role in fostering positive change.

"Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change."

Key Priorities for a Thriving Tourism Sector

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has revealed its list of 55 rural destinations designated as "Best Tourism Villages" for 2024. This initiative recognizes villages that are harnessing tourism to preserve their unique cultures, traditions, and natural beauty while promoting sustainable development.

A Global Showcase of Rural Tourism

The Best Tourism Villages initiative, launched in 2021, aims to showcase the potential of tourism to drive economic and social development in rural areas. The program emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable practices.

Celebrating Excellence in Rural Tourism

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – UN Tourism has recognized the most innovative community-based tourism projects in Colombia, highlighting the country's leadership in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

The "Innovation Challenge: Community Tourism: Colombia"

The Innovation Challenge, organized in collaboration with Colombia's Vice Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Fund (FONTUR), sought to identify and celebrate initiatives that are shaping the future of community-based tourism in the region.

The challenge focused on projects that:

• Position Colombia as a leading destination in community-based tourism.
• Prioritize sustainability and resilience.
• Empower communities, including those in rural and urban areas, women, youth, ethnic communities, and communities building peace.

Celebrating the Winners

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 - The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with UN Tourism, successfully hosted a three-day Women in Tourism Regional Congress themed "Beyond empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access".

The Congress brought together over 500 participants from the public and private sectors, hospitality, and the cultural and creative industries across Sierra Leone and Africa. With a focus on gender-responsive policies and expanding access to education, mentorship, technological innovation, and finance, delegates from 12 African countries enriched the discussions: Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – In a landmark collaboration, three United Nations agencies – UN Tourism, UN-Habitat, and UNESCO – joined forces at the World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt, to champion sustainable urban tourism practices. This initiative marks the first time these agencies have collaborated at the World Urban Forum, underscoring their shared commitment to promoting tourism that benefits both cities and their residents.

Building on Successful Partnerships

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – The UN Tourism is set to host the First Global Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Hoi An, Vietnam, from December 9th to 11th. This groundbreaking event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, will bring together global and local leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers to explore the transformative potential of tourism for rural communities.

Empowering Rural Communities Through Tourism

The conference will serve as a platform to showcase a shared vision for tourism as a catalyst for rural upliftment and inclusive development. By encouraging local participation in tourism planning and development, the event aims to help rural communities harness tourism in ways that are economically beneficial and culturally and environmentally respectful.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – In a landmark decision, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) will feature a dedicated Thematic Day focused on climate change and tourism. This marks the first time tourism ministers will participate in the conference, placing the sector firmly within the COP29 Action Agenda.

Tourism's Role in Global Climate Action

The Thematic Day, scheduled for November 20th in Baku, Azerbaijan, will provide a high-level platform for dialogue on tourism's role in global climate action. This initiative is led jointly by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

A Science-Based Approach to Tourism Climate Action

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – The World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) is back for its third edition, taking place on November 28th and 29th at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Organized by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, the congress will unite prominent figures from the worlds of sports and tourism under the theme "Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations."

A Global Gathering of Sports and Tourism Leaders

The WSTC will serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, with attendees including tourism ministers, industry experts, and representatives from leading sports organizations like the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and the Global Sports Innovation Center.

Building a Lasting Legacy Through Sports Tourism