Spain to Open New UN Tourism Headquarters as Toledo Hosts Executive Council - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Spain has reaffirmed its role as a leading centre for international tourism governance as Toledo hosts the 126th Executive Council of UN Tourism. During the meeting, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, announced that the organisation’s new permanent headquarters in Madrid will officially open on 29 June.

The new facility will house the leading international organisation for public tourism governance and further strengthen Spain’s position as a global hub for tourism policy, cooperation and sustainable development.

New Headquarters to Open in Madrid

The new UN Tourism headquarters is located in Building B of the Palacio de Congresos complex near Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana. The modern office building occupies a prime location in the Spanish capital’s financial district, close to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Renovation works began in October 2023 and were carried out by Ferrovial under the supervision of Turespaña. The project involved an investment of €24.8 million.

Under the bilateral agreement signed between Spain and UN Tourism in 2022, the organisation has been granted use of the new headquarters for a period of 75 years.

According to Hereu, the new headquarters reinforces Spain’s position as a global centre for tourism governance and the sustainable transformation of the tourism industry.

Global Tourism Leaders Meet in Toledo

For three days, Toledo has become the focal point of international tourism discussions, bringing together representatives from member states to address key challenges facing the sector.

The agenda includes topics such as geopolitical developments and their impact on tourism, tourism governance, sustainability, digitalisation and the growing role of artificial intelligence.

Rosario Sánchez, Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism, addressed the opening session of the Executive Council and described tourism as “one of the great platforms for international cooperation of our time.”

She also highlighted the importance of UN Tourism as a key institution for strengthening dialogue and collaboration between countries.

Tourism as a Tool for Peace

Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts in several regions of the world, Sánchez called for “more cooperation, more dialogue and more multilateralism” as a response to global challenges.

Addressing representatives from the 35 member countries of the Executive Council, she underlined tourism’s ability to create opportunities, generate shared prosperity and promote mutual understanding between societies.

She described tourism as a “tool for peace” capable of reducing inequalities and strengthening social and territorial cohesion.

Bilateral Meetings Focus on Future Cooperation

Alongside the Executive Council, Minister Hereu held a series of bilateral meetings with tourism ministers from several UN Tourism member states, including Saudi Arabia, China and France.

The discussions focused on exchanging experiences, policy approaches and innovative strategies aimed at supporting the transformation of the tourism sector.

New Leadership for UN Tourism

The Toledo meeting also marks the first Executive Council under the leadership of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, who recently became Secretary-General of UN Tourism.

She is the first woman and the youngest person ever to hold the organisation’s highest office, opening a new chapter for the agency as it seeks to promote a more sustainable, innovative and inclusive tourism industry worldwide.

Image Credit: © Government of Spain. Ministry of industry and tourism