UN Tourism has officially opened its Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, marking a significant step in enhancing tourism development across the region.
The new office will play a key role in driving investment opportunities, with an initial focus on green financing and sustainability. One of its first major initiatives will be the creation of guidelines designed to promote environmentally responsible investments, emphasizing the vital role of biodiversity in the region’s tourism industry. Additionally, the office will implement a specialized training program to equip young professionals with essential skills, supporting workforce development and sector growth.
During the inauguration, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, to discuss upcoming projects. The discussions centered on leveraging the Regional Office as a hub for tourism expansion, both within Brazil and across the wider Americas.
Secretary-General Pololikashvili stated: “The UN Tourism 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 veritable centre of leadership and ideas, focusing on growth, securing investments for the sector, and harnessing the power of tourism for sustainable and inclusive development.”
Beyond investment and training, the office will spearhead initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, with a dedicated event set for 2025. Other key priorities include advancing indigenous tourism, improving accessibility, and promoting multi-destination routes such as South America’s Jesuit Route.
The establishment of this office strengthens UN Tourism’s presence in the Americas, bringing it closer to its member states. Alongside its headquarters in Madrid, the organization now operates a Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a liaison office in Nara, Japan. Plans are also in place to launch a Regional Office for Africa in Marrakesh, Morocco.
With these offices, UN Tourism is better positioned to provide region-specific support, focusing on innovation, investment, and education to drive the global tourism sector forward.
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