The 21st UNWTO General Assembly has welcomed Barbados and Samoa as new Full Members of the Organization, bringing its member count to 158.

UNWTO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have announced a new joint strategic statement on Tourism and Air Transport for Development.

The recently created UNWTO Gastronomy Network met on the occasion of the 21st General Assembly to discuss its work program and share its objectives.

UNWTO’s six Regional Commissions have elected new chairs and vice-chairs, as well as the host countries of their meetings in 2016.

According to the UNWTO forecast issued at the beginning of 2015, international tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 3 percent to 4 percent worldwide for the whole year, in line with the long-term forecast of an average growth of 3.8 percent a year set for the period 2010 to 2020.

Tourism’s ability to foster inclusive development will be the focus of the upcoming 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Medellin.