One Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities - new UNWTO campaign calls on one billion tourists to make their actions count

Small changes in travel behavior can contribute to positive change throughout the world. With one billion tourists traveling the world in a single year in 2012, transforming these one billion tourists into one billion opportunities is at the heart of the online campaign launched by UNWTO to celebrate this historic milestone. Read more +

International tourism strong despite uncertain economy

International tourist arrivals grew by 4% between January and August 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. The resilience of international tourism in a continuing uncertain economy is further confirmed by the positive data on tourism earnings and expenditure. Read more +

Ministers of Tourism call for intra-governmental coordination to address visas and air connectivity

Ministers of Tourism gathered in London for the 6^th UNWTO/World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit concluded that complicated visa processes and policies that limit air connectivity continue to present major barriers to the growth of travel and tourism. Ministers and representatives from major tour operators and airlines further called for increased intra-governmental cooperation and support from the highest levels of government to break such barriers (London, United Kingdom, 6 November 2012). Read more +

UNWTO unveils winners of the 2012 Ulysses Awards

Eight tourism leaders – individuals and initiatives – have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to the tourism sector at this year’s UNWTO Awards Ceremony. An online tool that allows tourism business to assess and improve their accessibility and an initiative encouraging tourists to stay with families in Malaysia are among the winners. Read more +

• 36th Meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East (Madrid, Spain, 27-28 November 2012)

• UNWTO at COP18 - The Tourism Sector Response to Climate Change (Doha, Qatar, 29 November 2012)

• The arrival of the one-billionth tourist (Worldwide, 13 December 2012)

• FITUR Green (Madrid, Spain, 30 January - February 2013)

• Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) (Madrid, Spain, 31 January 2013)

• Joint UNWTO/FITUR Silk Road Gymkhana (Madrid, Spain, 2 February 2013)

Global Report on City Tourism

From Athens to Vienna, 21 of the world’s most-visited cities set out their tourism strategies in this Global Report on City Tourism. The Report outlines the role of cities in the growth of global tourism and sheds light on how tourism contributes to the well-being, environmental quality and cultural identity of city dwellers worldwide.