The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with the promotion and development of tourism worldwide. Its main role is to serve as a global forum for tourism policy issues and to facilitate sustainable tourism development.
History
The UNWTO was established in 1975 as the successor to the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO), which was founded in 1925. Since then, it has become the leading international organization in the field of tourism, working closely with governments, private sector organizations, and other stakeholders to promote responsible and sustainable tourism.
Mission
The UNWTO’s mission is to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism that contributes to economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. It seeks to achieve this by providing leadership and support for policy development and implementation, promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities, and fostering partnerships among stakeholders.
Functions
The UNWTO performs a wide range of functions in pursuit of its mission. Some of these include:
– Providing technical assistance and advisory services: The UNWTO provides technical assistance and advisory services to member states on matters related to tourism policy development, planning, marketing, research, human resource development, investment promotion, and quality assurance. – Conducting research: The UNWTO conducts research on various aspects of tourism such as market trends, economic impacts, sustainability issues, etc. This research provides valuable insights into the industry’s current state and helps guide policy decisions.
– Promoting education and training: The UNWTO promotes education and training in tourism through various programs aimed at enhancing skills in areas such as marketing, management, hospitality services etc. – Facilitating cooperation among stakeholders: The UNWTO facilitates cooperation among various stakeholders in the tourism industry including governments, NGOs, private sector organizations etc. This helps to create an enabling environment for sustainable tourism development. – Advocating for the interests of member states: The UNWTO advocates for the interests of its member states at the global level, providing a platform for them to voice their concerns and influence policy decisions.
Membership
The UNWTO has 159 member states and 6 associate members representing all regions of the world. Membership is open to any state that is recognized by the United Nations and whose government is committed to promoting tourism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United Nations World Tourism Organization plays a critical role in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism worldwide. Through its various functions, it provides leadership and support for policy development and implementation, promotes knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities, and fosters partnerships among stakeholders. As such, it is an essential organization in the global tourism industry, helping to create a better future for all involved.