What Does the World Tourism Organization Do?

By Michael Ferguson

The World Tourism Organization, or UNWTO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works towards promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. The organization was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

What is the Purpose of the World Tourism Organization?

The main purpose of the UNWTO is to promote and develop sustainable tourism that benefits both travelers and host countries. The organization achieves this through various programs and initiatives that focus on advocacy, research, capacity building, and cooperation.

Advocacy

The UNWTO advocates for policies and practices that promote sustainable tourism. This includes policies that protect the environment, respect local cultures and traditions, and support local communities. The organization also works to raise awareness about the economic, social, and cultural benefits of tourism.

Research

The UNWTO conducts research on various aspects of tourism to inform policies and practices. This includes research on market trends, consumer behavior, environmental impact assessments, and cultural heritage preservation.

Capacity Building

The UNWTO provides technical assistance to countries to help them develop their tourism industries. This assistance includes training programs for tourism professionals on topics such as sustainable tourism development and marketing strategies.

Cooperation

The UNWTO promotes cooperation among its member states to achieve common goals related to tourism development. This includes sharing best practices, exchanging information on market trends, promoting investment opportunities in developing countries.

Who are the Members of the World Tourism Organization?

Currently, there are 159 member states that belong to the UNWTO. In addition to member states, there are also associate members such as private sector organizations and academic institutions.

What Are Some Key Initiatives of the World Tourism Organization?

One key initiative of the UNWTO is the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. This code outlines principles for responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. The organization also launched the Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) initiative to promote sustainable tourism development in developing countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the World Tourism Organization plays a crucial role in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism worldwide. Through advocacy, research, capacity building, and cooperation, the UNWTO has contributed to the development of tourism industries that are economically viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally responsible.