Skift Take
The UNWTO has been touting impressive growth in global tourism for years but, has only recently started to get more serious about the reality of overtourism. Travel brands will be watching how Pololikashvili responds to the problem, and whether he can get through to destinations that are struggling.
The new United Nations World Tourism Organization Secretary-General hopes to expand the organization's membership base as one of his top priorities.
The UNWTO appointed Zurab Pololikashvili, Georgia's ambassador to Spain, Andorra, Algeria and Morocco, as its new Secretary-General for the 2018-2021 term.
UNWTO’s membership includes 156 countries, six associate members and 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
The U.S., one of the world's most visited countries, is notably not a member because of disagreements about policy and membership costs. And 35 other countries, such as the UK, Ireland, the U.A.E. and Sweden are also non-members.
Pololikashvili's also inheriting an organization that's beginning to put more emphasis on tourism growth.
"I propose to initiate the following thematic platforms to expand UNWTO’s advocacy work and awareness-raising: a global leaders’ summit on travel and tourism for heads of state, in parallel with the UNWTO General Assembly; an annual ministerial meeting on safety, security and travel facili
