What Is the Role of United Nation World Tourism Organization?

By Anna Duncan

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for the promotion and development of sustainable tourism. It was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

What Is the Role of UNWTO?

UNWTO plays a critical role in promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. Its main objectives are to:

  • Promote and develop sustainable tourism
  • Foster understanding and cooperation among nations
  • Support the development of tourism policies and strategies
  • Encourage the implementation of tourism projects
  • Facilitate access to information on tourism

Sustainable Tourism Development

Sustainable tourism is an essential element of UNWTO’s mandate. The organization works with its member countries to promote sustainable practices that minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, cultural heritage, and local communities. This includes supporting responsible tourism practices such as ecotourism, cultural tourism, and community-based tourism.

Tourism Policies and Strategies

UNWTO provides technical assistance to member countries in developing their national tourism policies and strategies. This includes providing expertise in areas such as market research, product development, marketing, human resource development, and infrastructure planning.

Facilitating Access to Information on Tourism

UNWTO provides up-to-date statistics on international tourist arrivals, receipts, expenditure by markets (inbound/outbound), domestic tourism expenditure and internal travel consumption. It also maintains a comprehensive database on national legislation related to tourism.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, UNWTO plays an essential role in promoting sustainable tourism worldwide. Through its work with member countries on tourism policies and strategies, the organization ensures that tourism can contribute to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development while minimizing its negative impacts. By facilitating access to information on tourism, UNWTO helps to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared widely and equitably.