Spain will host on November 30 the XXIV meeting of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at the request of the organization, once Morocco has given up holding it in Marrakech (Morocco) given its health situation and limitations in the mobility conditions derived from it established by the Moroccan authorities, as transferred by the Organization to the member countries.
For the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, "Spain will be the host country after the resignation of the Moroccan authorities and the express request of the UNWTO", in compliance with the statutes of the Organization and with the agreement of Morocco.
The Minister of Tourism highlighted that the holding of an international forum of this level also represents the global recognition of "Spain as a safe destination", while being "an inescapable opportunity for the international projection of Spain and to reaffirm our position as a leading actor in tourism terms. Madrid will be at the center of the debate on the recovery of world tourism and the design of the tourism of the future ”. The minister added that the representatives who attend the meeting "will have the opportunity to see first-hand the progress in the project for the new world headquarters of the Organization in Madrid."
For Reyes Maroto, the experience of Spain in the organization of congresses and events is internationally recognized, "it was evident when in record time we assumed the organization of the COP-25", he highlighted.
XXIV General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main body of the World Tourism Organization and this year it will focus its debates on innovation, education and rural development to rebuild and improve tourism after the pandemic.
It meets every two years to approve its budget and its work program and to debate issues of importance to the sector. The Assembly is made up of the effective and associate members. Affiliate members and representatives of other international organizations also participate as observers.
On this occasion, the 43rd meeting of the Plenary of the Affiliate Members of the UNWTO will be the first official activity of the General Assembly. The Plenary meeting is the most important governance structure of the Affiliate Members and provides an ideal context to share initiatives and discuss the annual work program.