In Barcelona, tourism leaders from around the world gathered at the 121st session of the United Nations Executive Council of Tourism to shape the future of the sector. Representatives from 47 countries, including 18 Ministers of Tourism, presented their vision for a full recovery of tourism after the pandemic. According to UN data, around 285 million tourists traveled internationally in the first quarter of 2024, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year, while international tourism revenues grew to 1.5 trillion dollars in 2023.

The UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, opened the session by highlighting the need to embrace innovation, direct investment to the sector, and ensure that the growth of tourism benefits people everywhere. "Now that tourism has recovered from the greatest crisis in its history, it is time to develop greater resilience against future crises by expanding access to education and job opportunities and harnessing the power of new technologies," he stated.

The Chairman of the Executive Council and Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, emphasized the importance of the meeting to address the urgent challenges of tourism and advance the industry. "This meeting underscored our collective vision of a dynamic and flourishing global tourism sector driven by innovation, investment, growth, and strategic partnerships," he said.

During the session, the Work Plan for the UNWTO Agenda for Europe was adopted, including projects focused on the future of winter travel destinations, the regulation of short-term rental platforms, and strategies to mitigate the effects of green investments on tourism SMEs.

Additionally, the creation of the "Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean" in Montevideo, Uruguay, was approved during the Regional Commission for the Americas meeting in Varadero, Cuba. The session also reported on the opening of a Regional Office for Africa in Marrakech and a Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro. To reinforce these advancements, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Tourism of Greece to establish a Research and Monitoring Center for Coastal and Maritime Tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The commitment to sustainability was highlighted during the meeting, with Barcelona leading in responsible and inclusive urban tourism management. In a meeting with the UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili and the Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, Mayor Collboni emphasized the importance of tourism to the city and outlined plans to manage sector growth, including the possibility of limiting the number of visitors.

Members confirmed the locations for the upcoming Executive Council meetings: the 122nd session will be held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia; the 123rd session in Spain in the first half of 2025; and the 124th session in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the second half of 2025.

UNWTO announced the incorporation of 39 new entities from the private sector into its network of affiliate members, which now includes a total of 500 entities worldwide. These new additions reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen membership and create a diverse and inclusive network.

The 121st session of the UNWTO Executive Council in Barcelona underscored the importance of the tourism sector in the global economy and highlighted efforts to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth. International collaboration and a focus on innovation and investment are key to the prosperous future of global tourism.