The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, with a membership of 159 countries and territories.
But who exactly is involved in this organization? In this article, we’ll take a closer look.
The General Assembly
The highest governing body of the UNWTO is the General Assembly. This assembly meets every two years and is attended by representatives from all member states.
It’s here that the organization’s policies and budget are determined. Each member state has one vote.
The Executive Council
The Executive Council is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the General Assembly. It’s made up of members elected by the assembly and serves for two-year terms. The council meets twice a year and consists of representatives from different regions around the world.
The Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly for a four-year term and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the UNWTO. The current Secretary-General is Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia.
The Affiliate Members
In addition to its member states, the UNWTO also has affiliate members who are organizations or companies that work in or with the tourism industry. These members include hotels, airlines, travel agencies, and other tourism-related businesses.
The Regional Commissions
The UNWTO has five regional commissions that focus on specific areas of the world: Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East. These commissions work to promote tourism development in their respective regions and provide support to member states.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different groups involved in the World Tourism Organization. From member states to affiliate members to regional commissions, each plays a vital role in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism around the world.