UNWTO initiates work on first Regional Office for the Americas in Brazil

Monday, December 18, 2023

The UNWTO has intensified its support for member countries in the Americas, advancing plans for the establishment of its inaugural Regional Office during an official visit to Brazil. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili led a UNWTO delegation to Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia from December 13 to 17, acknowledging Brazil’s robust backing and dedication to tourism for development. Engaging in bilateral discussions with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, Secretary-General Pololikashvili solidified the collaboration.

A significant milestone occurred at the 25th UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (October 16-20), where Member States voted to create the first Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro. This office will further augment UNWTO’s global presence on the ground, joining existing Regional Offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Nara, Japan, along with the headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

Secretary-General Pololikashvili, along with Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino and other distinguished delegates, visited the chosen location to oversee initial plans for the Regional Office. A special ceremony hosted by UNWTO and the Government of Brazil marked the official agreement for the project, heralding the beginning of an initiative seen as a crucial opportunity to enhance Brazil’s prominence as a tourism leader in the Americas and on the global stage.

The focus of the Regional Office for the Americas will be on bolstering investment promotion, with an initial emphasis on guidelines for enhancing green investments, recognizing the significance of biodiversity for tourism in the region. Additionally, the Rio office will develop a strategy for technical training aimed at empowering youth with the skills needed for sectoral growth across the Americas.

Secretary-General Pololikashvili affirmed that the UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will play a pivotal role in guiding tourism development not only in Brazil but throughout the entire region. Rio de Janeiro is envisioned as a hub for leadership and ideas, concentrating on increasing and directing investments in the sector while harnessing tourism’s potential for sustainable and inclusive growth.

In parallel, Secretary-General Pololikashvili engaged in discussions with President Lula, focusing on shared priorities such as expanding investments in tourism in Brazil and the broader region. Bilateral talks with Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino underscored UNWTO’s emphasis on the vast potential of tourism in the Americas.

The official visit also included participation in celebrations of tourism excellence in Brazil, including the National Tourism Awards ceremony in Brasilia on December 16. This event recognized individuals and initiatives transforming the sector, coinciding with the official opening of the National Hall of Tourism.

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