Global Tourism Affiliate Count Expands Beyond 500 Under UN's Supervision, Reaching a Grand Total on a Global Scale
UN Tourism Department Expands Global Network with 27 New Affiliate Members
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced the addition of 27 new Affiliate Members, marking a significant step in expanding its private sector stakeholders and promoting a more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable global tourism sector.
The new Affiliate Members, which include entities like China Tourism Group Corporation Limited, Saudi Tourism Authority, Royal Jordanian RJ, educational institutions such as the Escuela Universitaria de Hotelería y Turismo de Sant Pol de Mar (Barcelona) and the University of South Florida School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and organizations like the International Masters Games Association, World Tourism Alliance, and Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors Ltd., were selected through the current admission procedure and endorsed during the 122nd Session of the Executive Council held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on 14 November.
This expansion reflects a commitment to amplifying and fostering a high-quality and geographically diverse global network of affiliated entities within the global tourism ecosystem, now comprising 505 entities. Ion Vilcu, UN Tourism Director of the department, stated that strengthening connections across both public and private sectors is essential for building a more inclusive and responsible tourism sector.
The new Affiliate Members come from 16 different countries, including Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. This diverse representation will help bridge public and private efforts toward the development of tourism that balances economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
The new Affiliate Membership expansion strategy aims at improving the quality and geographical balance of the affiliates' network. The impact of this expanded membership is expected to enhance collaboration between governments, private enterprises, and communities to implement sustainable tourism practices, promote inclusivity by involving a broader spectrum of stakeholders, drive innovation and responsible tourism growth that considers economic, social, and environmental factors equally, and strengthen efforts toward modernizing tourism globally as a source of wealth generation and social prosperity.
UN Tourism already boasts a membership of 166 countries, 6 territories, and over 500 affiliate members in the private sector, which collectively promote responsible tourism development worldwide. These new affiliate members will contribute to strengthening UN Tourism’s mission to ensure tourism development is responsible, sustainable, and contributes to global well-being.
[1] UNWTO Press Release: UNWTO Announces the Addition of 27 New Affiliate Members
[2] UNWTO: About UNWTO Affiliate Members
[3] Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism: Statement on UNWTO Affiliate Membership Expansion
[4] UNWTO: The Role of Affiliate Members in Promoting Responsible Tourism
[5] UNWTO: Sustainable Tourism Goals and the Role of Affiliate Members
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