Introduction

Education is recognized globally as a fundamental human right and serves as a powerful tool in combating inequality, social exclusion, and illiteracy. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, formal academic education alone is no longer sufficient to remain professionally competitive. Organizations operate in dynamic and unpredictable environments that demand continuous skills enhancement. Therefore, lifelong learning has become an inevitable necessity in today’s labor market, which increasingly demands highly skilled professionals capable of acquiring specialized expertise in the shortest possible time.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

In response to these evolving needs, online education has emerged as an effective and transformative solution, offering unmatched flexibility and accessibility by overcoming temporal, spatial, and social barriers. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), recognizing the transformative potential of digital learning, has made the digitalization of education one of its core priorities to ensure global accessibility and practical learning.

 In line with this vision, the UN Tourism Online Academy was established in collaboration with IE University—one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. This platform was officially launched on September 9, 2019, during the 23rd General Assembly of the UN Tourism held in Saint Petersburg.

According to Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN Tourism:

“Our vision is to provide global opportunities for individuals interested in the tourism sector and to dismantle the barriers between work, skills, and education.”

This Academy is an innovative e-learning platform designed to offer high-quality, self-paced, and affordable online courses in collaboration with leading global universities. It is an ideal option for individuals seeking to enhance or broaden their professional skills. In response to the rapid transformation of the tourism industry, the Academy’s programs cover key topics and foundational principles in the following areas:

• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Destination Management
• Digital Marketing
• Strategic and Financial Management
• Operations, Innovation, and Digital Transformation

By bridging academic knowledge with professional practice, the Tourism Online Academy empowers learners to adapt to the evolving global landscape and fosters a new generation of competent professionals in the tourism sector.

Secretariat

Platform Name: UN Tourism Online Academy

Implementing Institution: IE University, Madrid, Spain (in partnership with UN Tourism)

Official Email: toa@ie.edu

Official Website: https://www.unwto-tourismacademy.ie.edu