UN Tourism officially inaugurated its Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro on the 7th March 2025. The new Regional Office will focus on strengthening investment promotion. One of its first key outcomes will be a set of guidelines aimed at boosting green investments, recognizing the importance of biodiversity for tourism in the Americas. The Rio Office will also develop a strategy for the technical training of young people, equipping them with the professional skills needed for the sector’s growth throughout the region.
On the occasion of the inauguration, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili held a bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino. The meeting focused on the projects to be carried out at the Regional Office and how it can serve as a hub for tourism development, both in Brazil and throughout the region. Secretary-General Pololikashvili stated: “The UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will support the advancement of the tourism sector not only in Brazil but also across the entire region. Rio de Janeiro will become a centre of leadership and ideas, focusing on growth, securing investments for the sector, and harnessing the power of tourism for sustainable and inclusive development.”
Other key initiatives to be led by the Regional Office in Rio de Janeiro include women’s empowerment, with a dedicated event on the topic set to take place in 2025. Additionally, the Office will advance efforts in indigenous tourism, accessibility, and multi-destination routes in the region, such as the Jesuit Route in South America. In addition to the UN Tourism Headquarters in Madrid, the Organization now has a Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and an office in Nara, Japan. A Regional Office for Africa is planned to be opened in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Regional Offices enable UN Tourism to provide tailored support to its Members in all regions of the world, focusing on priorities such as tourism innovation, investment, and education and training across the sector
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