UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
Europe’s national tourism authorities have met to advance shared solutions to the biggest challenges facing tourism as well as the opportunities offered by the sector’s post-pandemic return.
The 70th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Europe brought together 40 high-level representatives in the Albanian capital. With the participation of nearly all UN Tourism Members in the region, the meeting served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, providing a ground for exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the tourism sector.
Albania leads Europe’s tourism rebound
Prior to the meeting, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama to discuss shared priorities and future collaboration. The Secretary-General has commended Albania’s leadership in tourism recovery after the pandemic – the country has been one of the best-performing destinations in 2023, showing a 53% increase over the international tourism arrivals registered in 2019.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also discussed the importance of sustainable tourism development and opportunities to further enhance the tourism sector in Albania. They exchanged views on key strategies to promote responsible tourism practices, harness digital innovation, and further contribute to economic growth through tourism education. They underscored the value of fostering a resilient and inclusive tourism industry that benefits local communities and preserves cultural heritage.
Legal framework for the Agenda for Europe
High-level delegations representing 40 Members were informed about the work and activities realized by UN Tourism since the Commission met in Bulgaria in June 2023, as well as strategic objectives and priorities, with a focus on:
Political outlook and the situation in Europe
The rebranding of the World Tourism Organization
Latest data on tourism arrivals and receipts
Events and initiatives
In Tirana, Members adopted the Rules of Procedure of the Working Group, the Selection Criteria and Key Performance Indicators for the evaluation of the projects supported through the Agenda for Europe and agreed on the priorities for the elaboration of the workplan of the Agenda for 2024. The Agenda for Europe is the manifestation of the priorities of the members in the region of Europe, the world's leading destination and a pioneer in tourism innovation. It aims to ensure a regional focus that will benefit and address the specific needs of the members at a regional and subregional level.
This document is the result of a consultative process among the members in the region, initiated during the 66th meeting of the Commission for Europe in 2021, to advance the adaptability of the European tourism ecosystem to the new trends and reality that emerged in the post-pandemic era.
Moving forward
The Commission Members were updated about the preparations for World Tourism Day 2024 by Georgia and accepted the invitation of Azerbaijan to host the Commission meeting in 2025.
Subregional focus
The second meeting of the Working Group for Southeast Europe was held on the sidelines of the 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe, by the initiative of the host, Albania, and UN Tourism. The purpose of the meeting was to foster in-depth discussions on the specific challenges facing the tourism sector in Southeast Europe. Representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia shared their ideas, insights, and opinions, with a special focus on short-term rentals and regional investments.
Tomorrow, a traditional side conference will be held about “Tourism Investments and Economic Development in Europe”. During this event, a guideline “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Albania”, developed by UN Tourism, will be presented. The speakers, experts, and other participants of the event will discuss the global tourism investment trends and opportunities, identify avenues for accelerating tourism investments for positive change and for the benefit of all, and share success stories and future prospects of tourism investments in Albania.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
- 1) Greek Deputy Foreign Minister highlights efforts to counter brain drain
- 2) Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
- 3) WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
- 4) ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
17/09 12:34
16/09 22:48
Revenues €2 billion above target primary surplus of €7.571 billion in Greece
16/09 22:35
Moody's ratings upgrades Greece's outlook to positive from stable
16/09 22:19
Passenger traffic in Greek ports grew by 11.4 pct during 2024 Q1
16/09 14:25
16/09 13:04
10 Years of Celebration for Golf and Maritime at the Greek Maritime Golf Event
14/09 22:38
11/09 22:35
Digital Work Card to start in Greek tourism and food service sectors
11/09 21:27
AEGEAN Air: Strong passenger traffic growth and 10% increase in revenue
11/09 16:43
Joint initiative in EU by Greece, Romania and Bulgaria on energy prices
11/09 13:39
Minister: Free afternoon surgeries for citizens who cannot afford to pay
10/09 00:49
12 tax cuts and 12 measures for wage rises announced in Greece
09/09 23:36
Foreign Minister: Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection approved by EU
09/09 23:35
Security forces on high alert for potential flooding from "ATENA" storm in Greece
09/09 23:07
Media: Greece will levy tax on cruise ship arrivals to Mykonos and Santorini
09/09 22:43
09/09 22:02
Swimming ban lifted at Volos beaches following clean water test results
08/09 22:31
08/09 22:21
Athens taxi strike begins on Monday, from 5:00 in the morning until 5:00 on Tuesday
08/09 19:34
88th Thessaloniki International Fair off to a strong beginning
08/09 15:28
Storm 'Atena' will bring bad weather to Greece starting Monday night
08/09 13:46
Prime Minister from Thessaloniki: Greece in 2027 will be a much better country
03/09 20:20
Greek Tourism Minister presents updates on cruises and short-term rentals to SETE
03/09 19:25
President of Hellenic Republic to receive credentials from new ambassadors
03/09 18:32
Athens Airport launches off-airport check-in for cruise passengers in Greece
03/09 18:14
Concession deal to develop marina of Pylos is inked by Greek state and investors
03/09 15:28
47th International Short Drama Film Festival commenced on Monday
02/09 17:09
The Schedule of the Anniversary Greek Maritime Golf Event 2024
31/08 00:48
Support the Greek Heritage Night organized at Yankee Stadium in New York
31/08 00:15
Athens Police directorate bans two open downtown rallies on Sunday morning
30/08 23:53
30/08 23:48
Greek Minister pre-announces subsidies on electricity bills and in September
30/08 18:35
Alexandroupolis joins 'WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities'
30/08 16:45
From Paris to Santorini, top Names in Sports for Santorini Experience 2024
29/08 00:25
28/08 20:18
First World Conference on Smart Islands in Greece's Pserimos on September 4-5
28/08 16:14
Promotion and protection works of Castle of Mytilene progressing rapidly on Lesvos
28/08 12:10
'Pupil's basket' with school supplies into effect in Greece from Wednesday
28/08 00:51
28/08 00:44
Greek PM: The Thessaloniki metro to be handed over to citizens on November 30
28/08 00:36
Mayor: Today is a historic day for Panathinaikos and for Athens
27/08 20:30
Patmos island Music Festival opens with chamber music, followed by religious music festival
27/08 13:19
9th Kastellorizo Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival commences
21/08 00:38
Nearly 18,000 paid a visit to 18 lighthouses in Greece on World Lighthouse Day
21/08 00:32
Passenger traffic in Greek airports soars by 9.5% during January-July 2024
21/08 00:29
20/08 22:33
Art Athina annual exhibition opening at Zappeion Hall in Greece on September 9
20/08 21:50
Greek Culture Ministry: East Attica antiquities unaffected by recent wildfire
20/08 18:46
Kalymnos island to get new ferry dock, merchant marine engineering school
13/08 01:59
Albany AHEPA Chapter 140 and DOP Alope Chapter 158 grant 2024 Scholarships
13/08 01:50
COSMOTE supports subscribers in fire-stricken areas of Attica with free services
13/08 01:39
Greek Olympic athletes return amidst national crisis due to Attica wildfires
12/08 01:56
Greek government to overhaul presumptive taxation system for self-employed
09/08 01:46
08/08 21:41
Ministry: Greek universities invited to set up joint MA programs with institutions abroad
08/08 21:39
Drama International Short Film Festival to run Sept 2-8 with films from 21 countries
08/08 21:36
Digital transit log for foreign private recreational vessels available on Greece's myAADE
08/08 14:45
STASY inks contract for harnessing kinetic power of braking trains to save energy
07/08 21:25
Six investment schemes selected for Phase B, in bid for Greek port of Lavrion
06/08 01:23
05/08 18:15
AEGEAN airline extends flight suspension to Beirut, Tel Aviv and Amman
05/08 17:17
July 2024 sets a record as the hottest month in Greece's recorded history
04/08 01:12
Ancient mosaic floor with satyrs uncovered in Eretria of Evia island
01/08 22:53
Greek Culture Μinister visits Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople
01/08 22:34
July 2024, the hottest since 2010 in northern, western Greece and Ionian Sea
01/08 18:42
Apprenticeship school for training at ONEX Shipyards opens on Syros island
01/08 17:51
Final electricity pricing for Greek households in August at under 15 cents/kWh
01/08 01:10
Minister: Tourism brings multiple benefits to the national economy
01/08 00:05
Greek economy's upgrade attracted €5 billion investments in bonds and shares
31/07 21:00
Media: Greece luring back professionals who left during economic exodus
31/07 20:50
Greek parliament voting on levy for electricity producers to help bills in August
31/07 12:44
31/07 00:12
30/07 23:34
New British Premier supports loan of stolen Parthenon Marbles to Greece
30/07 23:19
Booking.com trends and insights: Six ways to increase guest referrals to your hotel
30/07 17:26
Bill on mental health reform passes in Greek parliament; Georgiadis: no layoffs
30/07 13:14
Greek PM: The government intervenes to improve the citizens' daily life
30/07 11:30
30/07 01:01
Over 800 children at Metropolis of Boston Camp and “Kosmos” Program
29/07 20:58
EU chief thanks Greece and France for their support in battling wildfires in Bulgaria
29/07 18:18
Greek real estate: 8 reasons making the sector highly attractive to foreign investment
29/07 15:53
Government spokeserson: Program for reducing cost of life underway in Greece
28/07 01:07
25/07 23:18
Greek banks and EIB join forces to enhance access to finance for mid-cap firms
25/07 23:10
Hotel occupancy in Athens reaches 75.5% during the first half of 2024
25/07 23:01
25/07 21:07
Fifty-two municipalities throughout Greece embrace digital transformation
25/07 14:22
Bank of Greece: Loans and deposits by households and institutions rise in June
24/07 23:04
St. Irene Chrysovalantou Astoria marks its Annual Festival from July 25-28
24/07 22:46
Greek Finance Ministry enforces beach regulations after 4,500 citizen complaints
24/07 22:45
BoG report: Greece still getting more tourists but spending less than before
24/07 21:13
Greek president organizes reception for 50th anniversary of restoration of democracy
24/07 19:53
Guards at e-ticketed ancient sites, museums announcing work stoppage Thursday
24/07 16:08
Minister: Disbursement of €2.3 billion from the loan part of the Recovery Fund
22/07 23:29
Cyprus displays in Nicosia once-looted antiquities dating back thousands of years
22/07 23:25
Greek high school students clinch 6 medals at International Math Olympiad
22/07 21:37
Greek Climate Crisis Minister meets with visiting British Minister of State for Europe
22/07 21:33
Hellenic Parliament indowntown Athens undergoes energy upgrades
22/07 18:19
Book of condolences for Nguyen Phu Trong to open at Vietnamese embassy in Athens
21/07 18:05
Sharp hike in the viral load of SARS-CoV2 in the Greek city of Thessaloniki
10 Years of Celebration for Golf and Maritime at the Greek Maritime Golf Event
AEGEAN Air: Strong passenger traffic growth and 10% increase in revenue
Digital Work Card to start in Greek tourism and food service sectors
Joint initiative in EU by Greece, Romania and Bulgaria on energy prices
Passenger traffic in Greek ports grew by 11.4 pct during 2024 Q1
Moody's ratings upgrades Greece's outlook to positive from stable
Revenues €2 billion above target primary surplus of €7.571 billion in Greece
Syracuse show on Mycenaean influence on Sicily includes golden cup of Dendra
Civil Protection Secretariat: Very high risk of fire for six Greek regions on Friday
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
IPTO presents updated 10-year energy development investment programme in Greece
Greek PM: Law allowing private universities to be passed within January
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
Greek state budget draft plan foresses 2.1% growth rate in 2023
Festive Pancyprian Choir Christmas Concert ‘Kalanta’ charms audience in Astoria
Media: Founder of Greece's Divani Collection Hotels has passed away
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17