Global tourism leaders have set down a clear vision for the long-term transformation of the sector at the 25^th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is now underway in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Delegations from 117 countries, including 70 ministerial level representatives, have convened at the meeting of UNWTO. The meeting will run till October 20. 

UNWTO data indicates that global tourism is on track to reach up to 95% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.

Earlier, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili published his wide-landmark goal for the sector – "The Journey to 2030: A Vision for a Sector Transformed" that set out clear priorities for the sector in the year ahead and action plans for achieving them.

A key part of the First Plenary Session was the report of the Secretary-General to members, setting out the organisation's achievements since the previous General Assembly, held in Madrid, Spain (December, 2021).

The report focused on his five core priorities for the sector, both over the last two years and for the two years to come:

• Scale up innovation and digital transformation
• Invest in people with a focus on human capital, education and jobs
• Boost investments, financing and entrepreneurship
• Foster sustainable and green transition across tourism
• Enhance competitiveness and resilience, through statistics, market intelligence, and product development.

The report to members also highlighted UNWTO's heightened relevance and visibility, including as part of the wider United Nations system.

For the third consecutive General Assembly, UNWTO celebrated its growing size. In Samarkand, Belize was welcomed as the organisation's newest member state, taking the total to 160. The Assembly was given an overview of advanced plans to further expand membership, including several countries it has been in long-term talks with. – TradeArabia News Service