The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that it will work with IATA to help restart global tourism.

Under a new memorandum of understanding, The U.N.'s tourism arm will partner with IATA to focus on enhancing consumer confidence in travel while placing sustainability at the center of the recovery.

"UNWTO will use our expertise in innovation and our status as a connector of public and private sector leaders to help get aviation moving again," secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili said in a Tuesday announcement.

• Related: IATA again downgrades outlook for global air travel

The two entities have already worked together during the Covid-19 pandemic: IATA contributed to the development in May of the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism.

Along with pushing for the implementation of consistent safety protocols in airports and airlines around the world, IATA in recent months has emphasized the importance of international Covid-19 testing regimes in order to reopen international travel.

"The safe opening of international borders to tourism is essential," IATA secretary general Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement Tuesday. "Tourists want to feel safe, and they want to be confident that their travel plans won't be affected by last-minute changes to rules and regulations. For this to happen, even greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is needed."

From Our Partners


From Our Partners

Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean Getaways
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean Getaways
Register Now
TTC Tour Brands — How We Lead: What Tour Directors Know About Leadership
TTC Tour Brands — How We Lead: What Tour Directors Know About Leadership
Read More
Destinations on a Plate: Culinary Tourism
Destinations on a Plate: Culinary Tourism
Register Now

JDS Travel News JDS Viewpoints JDS Africa/MI