UN Tourism Opens Regional Office in Rio to Boost Investment and Training

UN Tourism has officially inaugurated its Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, aiming to strengthen investment promotion and technical training in the sector.

One of its first key achievements will be the development of guidelines to foster green investments, recognizing the crucial role of biodiversity in regional tourism. Additionally, the office will create a strategy to equip young professionals with the necessary skills to contribute to the sector’s growth.

During the inauguration, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili held a bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, discussing how the office will serve as a hub for tourism development across the region. Pololikashvili emphasized that Rio de Janeiro will become a center for leadership and innovation, securing investments and promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Key initiatives to be led by the office include women’s empowerment, with a dedicated event scheduled for 2025, as well as projects in indigenous tourism, accessibility, and multi-destination routes, such as the Jesuit Route in South America.

With this opening, UN Tourism strengthens its global presence, adding this office to its Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh and its office in Nara, Japan, in addition to its headquarters in Madrid. A Regional Office for Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, is also in the pipeline.