Members approved a landmark International Code for the Protection of Tourists

Friday, December 10, 2021

The 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly over the course of three days emphasized global tourism’s commitment to reinitiate around the shared pillars of sustainability, innovation and solidarity.

Representatives of 131 UNWTO Member States, comprising 59 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, took part in the Assembly in the Spanish capital, Madrid (30 November – 3 December). Along with the participation of Ms. Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the political support to UNWTO from the government of Spain was highlighted with the presence of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares.

The King of Spain Felipe VI, on the eve of the General Assembly, showed his recognition of the socio-economic relevance of tourism and appreciation of the UNWTO.

In the last two years, UNWTO presented its accomplishments since the last General Assembly, particularly in directing tourism through the most severe crisis in its history. Members endorsed the Program of Work for the coming biennium against this backdrop and voted strongly (77%) in favour of the Secretary-General serving a second term (2022- 2025).

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, as well as the important leaders of UN agencies UNWTO has been working throughout the pandemic – WHO, ICAO and UNCTAD – delivered dedicated messages to UNWTO.

Also, the General Assembly saw UNWTO bring Tourism Ministers and representatives from foreign organizations and the private sector together for a special Thematic Session on “Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Development”. Here, the names of the winners of the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Competition were announced, as was the first list of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO, identifying and honoring the power of new ideas in creating opportunities outside big cities and those destinations that are already leading the way in connecting the power of tourism as a key driver in terms of recovery and sustainable development.

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