Visa facilitation has experienced strong progress in recent years, particularly through the implementation of visa on arrival policies according to UNWTO’s latest Visa Openness Report. This largely reflects an increased awareness among policymakers of the positive impacts of visa facilitation on tourism and economic growth.

International tourist arrivals reached a total of 1,138 million in 2014, a 4.7 percent increase over the previous year, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai made the announcement.

A milestone resolution recognizing the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty eradication, community development and the protection of biodiversity has been adopted by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly.

Haiti will host UNWTO’s annual regional gathering of tourism authorities, the UNWTO Commission for the Americas. The Meeting of the Commission reflects Haiti’s preparedness to seize the tourism momentum.

The First World Conference on Tourism and Culture will bring together, for the first time, Ministers of Tourism and Ministers of Culture from around the world, experts and stakeholders from both sectors will huddle.