The global tourism sector is starting the new year prepared to #RestartTourism when conditions allow, with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) set to again bring together leaders from across the public and private sectors.
Today in Madrid, the UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee will hold its first meeting of the year. This meeting to advance concrete plans to ensure the restart of tourism will take place in the context of the UNWTO Executive Council. This meeting will be a hybrid event, combining in-person and virtual participation. The committee will bring together tourism leaders from around the world, as well as UN agencies and representatives from civil society and the private sector.
Key issues on the agenda include exploring how vaccines against COVID-19 can be part of a harmonized approach to restarting tourism, including through the potential use of health passports and other measures. UNWTO will also call on members of the Committee to join forces for a global campaign aimed at restoring confidence in tourism.
During the 113th session of the UNWTO Executive Council on 19 January, representatives of the 35 Council members will be provided with updates on the implementation of the UNWTO Programme of Work and plans for 2021. The Executive Council meeting will also include the election for the position of UNWTO secretary-general for the term 2022-2025. Incumbent secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili has made himself available for re-election for a second term while Bahrain has nominated Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa for the position.
