The World Tourism Organization hold virtual meetings with the five regional bodies of Member States of the United Nations in order to share their plans for the restart of tourism in the wake of the pandemic.
The meetings of the UNWTO Regional Commissions showed the universal determination to restart tourism with an emphasis on ensuring sustainability. In this sense, natural destinations such as the New 7 Wonders of Nature will play a key role in tourism recovery.
According to UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, “the meetings has shown the universal determination to restart tourism, and to do so with an emphasis on sustainability and on ensuring the benefits are shared as widely as possible. At the same time, the insights of UNWTO Member States from around the world make clear that, while some destinations are re-opening to tourists, this crisis is not yet over in many places, and that the tourism sector continues to require strong political and economic support if we are to safeguard livelihoods and protect whole economies in these challenging times.”
The Regional Commission for Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East region participated in the different reunions, in which representatives of Member States, including Ministers of Tourism were joined by UNWTO Affiliate Members.