WTTC, UNWTO sign MOU for global tourism collaboration

In a "historic" first, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UNWTO) signed a memorandum of understanding at the G20 Ministerial meeting in Goa, India. This agreement, signed by WTTC president & CEO Julia Simpson and UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili, aims to strengthen cooperation between the global public and private sectors, UNWTO said in a statement.

According to the statement, the MOU focuses on advancing collaboration at the global level to promote job creation, talent development, and business opportunities in the travel and tourism industry worldwide.

“Through the signing of a historic new MOU, WTTC and UNWTO embark on a new chapter of collaboration together, uniting our expertise to pave the way for a prosperous future for the travel & tourism sector,” said Simpson of WTTC. “Together, we can create a powerful synergy that will shape the global landscape, opening doors to endless opportunities and benefiting travelers, businesses, and destinations alike.”

“We are only stronger if we work together to respond to the interconnected challenges facing our sector,” said Pololikashvili. “Strong public-private partnerships are the foundation to transform tourism and build resilience, and consolidating our partnership with WTTC will achieve exactly what we need—joining efforts to build a better future through tourism.”

The WTTC and UNWTO are partnering to promote tourism globally, focusing on skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, sustainability, and resilience. They prioritize community empowerment and inclusion, collaborating on crisis preparedness, management, and recovery, drawing from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement added.