Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The United Nations Tourism and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Spain came together to delve into the significant roles and hurdles of tourism within urban and territorial environments.
This collaboration unfolded with the backing of the Basque Government’s Department of Territorial Planning, under the banner “Advancing Sustainable Urban Tourism: developing tools for promoting good practices in cities.” The assembly brought together specialists from UN bodies, global institutions, national, regional, and local government officials, academic circles, and the business sector. This panel of Experts delved into ways the tourism sector could bolster the development of cities and communities that are more inclusive, secure, resilient, and sustainable, while also tackling urban tourism’s challenges.
Cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bilbao, Genoa, Medellin, Porto, Valencia, Venice, alongside the Basque Country, presented their strategies and actions that encourage the exchange of knowledge and foster collaborative opportunities. Through the intersecting mandates of UN Tourism and UN-Habitat, diverse viewpoints regarding tourism’s contribution to the social, economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability of urban areas were introduced for discussion.
Participation also included voices from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme), and the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), offering insights into a dialogue that encompasses urban areas, tourism, territories, economy, environment, culture, and heritage.
Key Focus and Outcomes of the Expert Group Meeting:
Future Directions in the Global Urban Agenda:
Insights from the Expert Group Meeting will further both UN Agencies’ efforts in promoting sustainable and resilient cities and territories. These findings will aid regional and local governments and other key players in recognizing and addressing the principal obstacles to sustainable urban tourism, equipping them with strategies and recommendations for improvement.
The meeting’s conclusions will also help frame the discussions and activities concerning sustainable urban tourism at the upcoming 12th World Urban Forum (WUF 12) in Cairo, Egypt in November 2024 and at the Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism, organized by UN Tourism.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
