UNWTO Launches ‘TourismConnectsRural’ Digital Hub to Strengthen Rural Tourism Worldwide

Geotourist and the West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO) are partnering in a revolutionary data initiative to generate visitor data insights that are not currently achievable in the region. The initiative will be rolled out across 19 different countries,including:

Plans are in full force for the highly anticipated second staging of the Global Tourism Resilience Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Taking place over a two-day period, the Global Tourism Resilience Conference will include panel discussions, networking opportunities, presentations and lively debates on matters of building resilience in tourism. This group of experts in their collective fields will gather to collaboratively discuss issues that are central to future-proofing travel and tourism to various disruptions moving forward. Global tourism resilience will once again take centre stage with key experts on building resilience in the industry. As tourism destinations continue to recover, it is critical that   tenacity is a focus of planning and development to future proof the industry from any potential shock,” said Founder of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

Every February around 570 tonnes of roses are imported to the UK, equating to a carbon emission of 30 kilogrammes of CO2 per bouquet.

According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations, are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024.

Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to welcome Delta Airlines’ non-stop Saturday Weekly service from Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) to Providenciales (PLS) which launched on Saturday, January 20th, 2024. 

The new year brings with it opportunities for new adventures. To help satisfy your wanderlust and inspire your next getaway, the UNWTO shares its list of top off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit in 2024 before peak season hits this summer. Escape the ordinary and explore the world’s undiscovered rural treasures offering unique experiences at these charming lesser-known destinations, promising unforgettable memories.

For the first time ever—and just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics—Phoenix and Paris will soon be connected by a nonstop flight.

With Alaska travel on the rise, United Airlines is introducing a new route to Anchorage just in time for the summer season. 

This week sees the launch of Sustainable Journeys, a new UK tour operator dedicated to helping people take steps to travel more sustainably by providing itineraries and unforgettable travel experiences which enable individual travellers to explore, whilst taking into consideration environmental conservation, social inclusivity, and economic benefits to local communities.

With Ecuador as the official partner country, FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair (Madrid, 23-26 January) will serve once again as a platform for global tourism innovation and collaboration.

Destination Canada has launched the the DinkDunk Pickleball Spa, the world’s first pop-up winter pickleball spa.

Luxury cruise expert Mundy Cruising has launched an extraordinary programme, The Ultimate Luxury Cruise, which combines iconic destinations, amazing travel experiences and superlative accommodations to create a 105-day journey, departing Tokyo on 14th April 2025 and finishing in Dubrovnik on 26th July 2025. Customer research at the top end of the market by Mundy Cruising has revealed a range of travel trends and priorities for its discerning client base, including longer trips, slow travel, iconic experiences, bucket list destinations and a desire to return to gentler (and arguably Pre-Covid) times.