News
11 February 2013 Responsible growth and accessibility to be at the heart of tourism development says President of Uruguay accepting the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism
The President of Uruguay, José Mujica, underscored the need to place responsibility and accessibility at the center of any tourism development. President Mujica stressed the importance of responsible tourism when presented the UNWTO / World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on Travel and Tourism. By accepting the Open Letter, President Mujica adds his voice to those world leaders which rally support for tourism as a key for growth and fairer development (Montevideo, Uruguay, 6 February 2013).
28 January 2013 International tourism to continue robust growth in 2013
International tourist arrivals grew by 4% in 2012 to reach 1.035 billion, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Emerging economies (+4.1%) regained the lead over advanced economies (+3.6%), with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest results. Growth is expected to continue in 2013 only slightly below the 2012 level (+3% to +4%) and in line with UNWTO long term forecast.
28 January 2013 Asia and the Pacific and the Americas the most ‘open’ regions for travellers in terms of Visas
New UNWTO research on Visa facilitation shows that Asia and the Pacific and the Americas are the most ‘open’ regions in terms of tourist Visa requirements. Data also shows that there has been significant progress on Visa facilitation globally in recent years, particularly with the implementation of Visa on arrival policies. 
14 January 2013 UNWTO activities at FITUR 2013
A tourism investment forum for Africa and a debate on tourism prospects in the Middle East and North Africa are among the many UNWTO events planned for the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR (Madrid, Spain, 30 January – 3 February 2013).
11 January 2013 El Salvador firma “Libro de Oro” de la Organización Mundial del Turismo
3 January 2013 UN General Assembly: ecotourism key to eradicating poverty and protecting environment
A landmark resolution recognizing ecotourism as key in the fight against poverty, the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (21 December 2012). 
14 December 2012 CELEBRACIÓN DEL TURISTA MIL MILLONES EN ARGENTINA
13 December 2012 UNWTO welcomes the world’s one-billionth tourist
A British tourist visiting Madrid, Spain on 13 December has been revealed as the symbolic face of the one billion international tourists travelling in 2012. The tourist was welcomed by the Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain, José Manuel Soria, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the Mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, at an event in Madrid’s Museo del Prado, held to celebrate a record one billion international tourists in 2012. The event, part of the UNWTO One Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities campaign, recalled how tourism can create billions of opportunities for growth and development around the world (Madrid, Spain, 13 December 2012). 
12 December 2012 Infographics: Turning one billion tourists into one billion opportunities
12 December 2012 International tourism hits one billion
One billion tourists have travelled the world in 2012, marking a new record for international tourism – a sector that accounts for one in every 12 jobs and 30% of the world’s services exports. On the symbolic arrival date of the one-billionth tourist (13 December 2012), UNWTO revealed the actions tourists can take to ensure their trips benefit the people and places they visit, as voted by the public.