UNWTO Commision for Europe meets in Bulgarian capital of Sofia
European tourism leaders have met to advance shared plans for the sector’s future. The 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe (31 May – 2 June, Sofia, Bulgaria), assessed the current state of tourism in the region while also recognizing the vital importance of education, jobs, and investments for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Bulgaria Leads High-Level Political Support for Tourism
Ahead of the meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Rumen Radev and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Galab Donev, accompanied by Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria Ilin Dimitrov, to discuss shared priorities and areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Donev welcomed the latest UNWTO data which shows Bulgaria is among the fastest-recovering of European destinations, with international arrivals in the first quarter of the year 27% higher than in 2019.
In recognition of their leadership, President Radev awarded UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili and the Director for Europe Alessandra Priante with the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, 1st Class and 2nd Class respectively, at a special ceremony in the Coat of Arms Hall.
The two parties jointly recognized tourism's importance for driving economic development and strengthening peace and understanding.
The UNWTO delegation welcomed the Bulgarian Government's work to diversify its tourism sector, with a focus on growing new areas including wellness, health, and gastronomy tourism and supporting rural communities.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "European tourism is recovering strongly and on track to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. This is exactly the time to step up our efforts to transform our sector, with a skilled workforce and proper investments vital for making it more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive."
European Members Focus on Key Priorities
High-level delegations representing 40 countries, with historic high participation, including Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Tourism, gathered for the Regional Commission. Member States were given an overview of UNWTO's work, with a focus on:
Jobs: UNWTO continues to support the Institutions of the European Union in the context of the European Year of Skills, with the co-implementation phase of the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism now underway to re-skill the tourism workforce of the European Union.
Education: Members were updated on the creation of a first Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management, in partnership with the Lucerne University of Applied Arts and Sciences, and to launch of a toolkit designed to help make tourism a subject in high schools worldwide.
Investments: Identified as a key priority for the sector, UNWTO set the stage for World Tourism Day 2023 (27 September) with its theme of 'Green Investments', and also looked ahead to the UNWTO Tourism Investment Forum (Yerevan, Armenia, September 2023).
Sustainability: UNWTO continues to guide global tourism's climate action efforts, key works include the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (49 signatories to date, with 17 from European countries), and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism (800+ signatories to date, more than half from Europe).
The UNWTO Regional Director outlined how European Members champion tourism as a driver of resilience and recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic and amid the fragile socio-political situation in the region, caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Looking Ahead
Adhering to the Organization's statutory obligations, Members agreed:
Ukraine will serve as the Chair of the Commission for Europe for the period 2023 to 2025. Greece and Hungary will serve as the Vice Chairs.
World Tourism Day 2024, to be held around the theme of "Tourism and Peace" will be officially hosted by Georgia.
The Commission will meet in Uzbekistan this fall for its 69th meeting and in Albania in 2024 for its 70th meeting.
On the eve of the meeting, UNWTO launched the Global Startup Competition for Mega Events and MICE Tourism, with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan and the participation of UEFA, the International Congress and Convention Association, and Mastercard. Finally, following an earlier announcement, UNWTO and Aviareps announced that Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, and Uzbekistan will be the first five countries to benefit from their collaboration.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
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) WTTC: U.S. remains the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market
- 2) Greek Deputy Foreign Minister highlights efforts to counter brain drain
- 3) UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
- 4) Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
21/10 21:23
Prime Minister: Greece's economy on irreversible path to recovery
21/10 19:19
Greek FinMin: Plan to utilize Hellenic Public Properties at implementation phase
21/10 18:00
21/10 09:16
European Union Commissioner inaugurates creation of 'Trusted Investors Network'
18/10 23:09
Exhibition of ancient cultures from Basilicata opens at Athens Acropolis Museum
17/10 19:13
Enterprise Greece: 121 firms showcase environmentally friendly fashion at global shows
17/10 18:18
Ticket price of 2 euros for cinema festival throughout Greece on October 31
17/10 14:34
Prime Minister: Greece has been very effective in dealing with illegal migration
17/10 13:22
Traditional Greek Costumes show:“From Avgi to the present: the clothes narrate”
17/10 12:21
16/10 22:23
Greek Development Minister meets Indiana Governor and US Ambassador
16/10 22:15
Greek PM sees overtourism problem only in Mykonos and Santorini
16/10 22:10
16/10 21:59
Greek Cartoon Museum at 'Kapnergostasio' historic building set up in Athens
16/10 19:12
Aegean Airlines expands direct flights between Thessaloniki and Kalamata in Greece
15/10 21:19
Greek PM: Our goal is to increase revenues and not just tourist numbers
15/10 19:46
Greek Energy Minister holds talks in Egypt on electricity connection
15/10 19:26
15/10 18:34
New Attica Transportation Strategic Plan will reshape the Region
15/10 16:44
UK Ambassador to Athens: Greece's role is of strategic significance
15/10 15:49
Greece's finance ministry reveals four main changes introduced by new tax bill
14/10 23:04
Minister: Luxury tourism can upgrade quality of Greek tourist product
14/10 13:01
Greek Infrastructure and Transport Minister: 35 new buses in Attica
14/10 12:54
WTTC | Business travel to surpass pre-pandemic levels at US$1.5 trillion in 2024
14/10 11:48
11/10 22:39
Acropolis Museum to mark European Days of Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage
09/10 23:26
Minister: More than 2,000 Greeks abroad registered on Rebrain Greece Platform
09/10 23:23
Italgas to invest 1 bln euros in Greece by 2030 based on new strategic plan
09/10 23:22
FinMin: The upgrade of the Athens Stock Exchange is excellent news for Greece
09/10 20:14
Fraport Greece announces schedule of shutdowns to upgrade regional airport runways
09/10 17:30
Greek government spokesperson highlights positive economic outlook for 2025
09/10 01:43
October electricity bill subsidies to support vulnerable consumers in Greece
09/10 01:41
Enterprise Greece: Four Greek wineries at ProWine Latin America 2024
09/10 01:31
Three-week deadline for Greek taxi drivers to install payment card signage
08/10 18:22
AEGEAN air passenger traffic surpasses 12.5 million in first nine months of 2024
08/10 16:31
Report: Networking and career opportunities for foreign students in Cyprus and Greece
07/10 21:54
Media: U.S. Ambassador to Athens is a Champion of Study Abroad Endeavors
07/10 21:44
Universities of Tennessee and Athens to promote academic collaboration
07/10 20:36
07/10 15:49
Government: Bad loans in Greece fell to 7.5% in March 2024 from 40% in 2019
06/10 00:40
03/10 22:15
Commercial activity at Keramoti port in Greece suspended to alleviate congestion
03/10 22:08
Finance Minister: Record privatizations benefiting Greek citizens in long run
03/10 22:05
Stavros Niarchos Foundation recognized at 2024 International Opera Awards
03/10 22:04
Commercial operation of the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal beginning today
03/10 16:48
Virtuoso and Globetrender report: The top-7 luxury travel trends to watch in 2025
02/10 23:11
Green residential electricity tariffs down 6%-17% in Greece during October
02/10 23:04
United Hellenic Voters of America presents 50th UHVA Awards Gala in Illinois
02/10 21:46
02/10 18:59
Greek FM: Excellent collaboration with Egypt for investments beyond energy
02/10 10:15
ELSTAT report: Unemployment rate falls to 9.5% in Greece during August
01/10 21:32
Collaboration between University of Athens and Google in Αrtificial Intelligence
01/10 21:31
Prime Minister: Greece will finally have a land registry in 2025
01/10 19:14
Work to prepare unique Doxipara-Zoni burials museum for visitors progressing fast
01/10 18:25
Public Power Corporation announces lower kWh green rates in Greece for October
01/10 17:35
Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation between Greek and Turkish coast guards
01/10 12:01
30/09 21:28
Piraeus Port Authority reaches new highs in half-year revenues and profits
30/09 17:12
Minister: Greece has the highest rate of increase of available income
29/09 21:29
Ratification bill for Attiki Odos concession is tabled in Greek Parliament
28/09 21:19
28/09 20:54
Lykeion ton Ellinidon Costume Museum marks European Heritage Days
26/09 22:02
Greece and South Korea sign cultural collaboration memorandum
26/09 21:55
Hellenic Initiative’s 5th Annual Venture Impact Awards opens for applications
26/09 19:51
26/09 18:58
Greece and Georgia ink agreement for mutual driver license recognition
26/09 18:47
Greece ranked 2nd internationally in best practices for Public-Private Partnerships
25/09 21:37
11 Greek environmental groups join 'Alliance for Wildlife' to preserve biodiversity
25/09 21:32
5th KinoFest: German-language film festival held at Castro Clauss in Patras
25/09 19:27
Greek Finance Ministry: Data shows significant fall in non-performing loans
25/09 17:45
Climate Crisis Minister inks procurement for 414 new fire vehicles in Greece
23/09 00:17
WTTC: U.S. remains the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market
23/09 00:05
New rail projects amounting to 1.0 billion planned in northern Greece
22/09 23:57
Minister: Promoting organic farming a priority for the Greek government
22/09 23:52
President of Hellenic Republic visits Panagia Soumela Monastery in Imathia
22/09 23:41
New framework for photovoltaics replaces net metering with net billing in Greece
19/09 21:13
Temple of Poseidon in Sounion of Attica shines bright with brand new lighting system
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
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time
PM at Axia discussion: Greece offering great investment opportunities in 2023
ATHEX chief: Venture Capital for 'new generation' digital fintech solutions
Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters
Priceless antiquities returned to the people of Greece at New York Consulate
ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1
Bill lifting restrictions for Greeks voting from abroad greenlighted by majority vote
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
Minister: Greece has the highest rate of increase of available income
Impressive statue of Hercules unearthed in Philippi of Northern Greece
UNWTO promotes people's role and MSMES as sector transformation agents
World Taste Atlas: Greek cuisine is the second best on the planet
Severe weather front to continue across Greece until Wednesday (video)
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
New publication: 'I am not Maria - I am Callas: Her real life and an eon of myths'
Hellenic Film Society USA presents Maria by Callas at MoMI in New York
Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation presents lecture with US University President
EU Commission forecasts Greece's growth rate at 2.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025
Greek Tourism Minister: Passenger location form to be abolished in Greece as of March 15