UN Tourism

Formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UN Tourism serves as the global forum for tourism policy and a practical source of information on the industry. Founded on November 1, 1975, this specialized agency shifted its focus from merely counting visitors to ensuring travel benefits everyone while protecting local cultures and environments.

The organization operates out of Madrid, Spain, with additional regional support offices in Nara, Japan, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Unlike commercial entities, it functions as an intergovernmental body funded by member state contributions rather than product sales. Its primary output includes knowledge goods like global tourism barometers, statistical databases, and certification programs such as the Best Tourism Villages initiative.

In 2026, Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais steered the agency toward inclusivity and resilience. Recent initiatives include the Recipe of Change collaboration with UNEP to reduce waste in hospitality and a push to address gender inequality in transport. The agency also supported Ukraine's recovery efforts by offering 500 scholarships and discussing infrastructure rebuilding following the war. [edit]