Introduction

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. The Organization provides leadership and support to the global tourism sector by advancing knowledge, policy, and strategic guidance at the international level.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

UN Tourism’s overarching mission is to maximize tourism’s contribution to economic and social development while minimizing its negative environmental and cultural impacts. The Organization prioritizes:

• Mainstreaming tourism in the global development agenda
• Promoting sustainable tourism development in line with the 2030 Agenda
• Fostering knowledge, education, and capacity building
• Improving tourism competitiveness through innovation and policy guidance
• Advancing tourism’s role in poverty alleviation and inclusive growth
• Building strategic partnerships to amplify impact and coordination

In alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Tourism actively works to ensure that tourism contributes to peace, prosperity, and protection of the planet.

Structure

UN Tourism is an intergovernmental organization composed of 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers, and over 500 Affiliate Members from the private sector, academia, and civil society.

General Assembly: The supreme decision-making body, held biennially.

Executive Council: Implements the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly in coordination with the Secretary-General and reports back to the Assembly.

Secretariat: Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, the Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and comprises specialized departments including:

• Sustainability
• Education and Training
• Tourism Trends and Marketing
• Sustainable Development
• Statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA)
• Destination Management
• Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Risk and Crisis Management

The Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department oversees development projects in over 100 countries, while five Regional Departments (Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East) act as direct channels between UN Tourism and its Member States. The Affiliate Members Department coordinates the engagement of over 500 affiliate entities.

Secretariat

Headquarters: Calle Poeta Joan Maragall 42 28020 Madrid, Spain
Secretary-General: Zurab Pololikashvili (since 2018)
Official e-mail for Communications: comm [@] unwto.org

Info e-mail: info@unwto.org
Website: UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer