WTO stands for the World Tourism Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations based in Madrid. In English it was usually abbreviated UNWTO, to avoid confusion with the World Trade Organization (WTO), and since 2024 it has been called UN Tourism. UN Tourism serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and aims to promote sustainable and responsible tourism development worldwide. It provides guidance, research, and support to governments and stakeholders in the tourism industry to enhance competitiveness, maximise economic benefits, and minimise negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
What is the World Tourism Organization (WTO) responsible for?
The World Tourism Organization, now UN Tourism, is responsible for promoting sustainable and responsible tourism development worldwide. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and provides guidance, research, and support to governments and stakeholders in the tourism industry.
How does the World Tourism Organization (WTO) contribute to the tourism industry?
UN Tourism contributes to the tourism industry by providing guidance on policy issues, conducting research to enhance competitiveness, and supporting sustainable tourism development initiatives globally. Its aim is to maximise economic benefits while minimising negative impacts on the environment and local communities.