UN Tourism Charts a Path to Innovation and Growth at Cartagena Meeting
The UN Tourism Executive Council gathered for its 122nd session to drive forward the sector’s transformation, focusing on innovation, investment, and inclusivity.
With data showing the sector poised to recover 96% of pre-pandemic levels by year-end, the meeting in Cartagena welcomed representatives from 47 countries, including 21 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, along with private sector leaders and civil society stakeholders.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended Colombia's investment in tourism as a tool for social transformation, stating: “Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, exemplifying the power of tourism as a force for change.”
Key Outcomes
- Innovation: Updates highlighted the success of challenges like the Green Projects and Community Tourism Challenges. Winners were announced, emphasizing creative solutions for a sustainable future.
- Investment: UN Tourism presented the "Tourism Doing Business Guidelines: Investing in Colombia" and announced plans for 28 similar publications. The session also launched a Global Forum on Investment and Innovation.
- Education: Members reviewed progress on initiatives such as the Education Toolkit, Online Academy, and International Academies, promoting tourism education worldwide.
Strengthening Partnerships
A networking session under the theme Tourism of the Future: Moving Towards the Sustainable Development Goals united destinations, private companies, and NGOs to align on shared objectives.
Best Tourism Villages 2024
The council recognized 55 rural destinations as part of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, celebrating their role in fostering local opportunities while preserving cultural and natural heritage.
The meeting underscored tourism’s potential to drive innovation, empower communities, and strengthen global collaboration.
