BARCELONA, June 11 (EFE) - The Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held its biannual meeting on June 10-11 in Barcelona, Spain. The 121st session brought together tourism ministers and top officials from the UNWTO's Member States to discuss key initiatives and priorities for the global tourism sector.

Among the attendees was a delegation from the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association (ETOA), representing Ethiopia's tourism industry as an observer

High on the agenda was the UNWTO's new "Tourism for Inclusive Growth" program aimed at ensuring tourism development benefits local communities and economies. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted pilot projects underway in several countries to create more opportunities for small businesses, women, and youth to participate in and profit from tourism. 

"Sustainable and responsible tourism is not just about protecting the environment, but also uplifting human lives and livelihoods," Pololikashvili stated. "With coordinated policies and investment, the tourism sector can be one of the most powerful forces for inclusive economic growth."

The council also reviewed global tourism figures for 2023, which saw a robust recovery with international arrivals up 28% over 2022 levels, according to UNWTO estimates. However, arrivals still lagged 15% behind pre-pandemic 2019 numbers.

Other key issues on the Barcelona agenda included tourism's role in rural development, the UNWTO's science and data strategy, and reforms to streamline the organization's membership procedures.  

The 122nd UNWTO Executive Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Colombia during second semestre 2024.