Toledo to Host UN Tourism’s 126th Executive Council Meeting

International

Historic Castilian city selected for the June 2026 session – Spain strengthens its global leadership in tourism policy

Toledo has been officially designated as the host city for the 126th Executive Council meeting of UN Tourism. The decision was confirmed today in Riyadh during the Council session of the United Nations agency, following a proposal by the Spanish delegation. With this choice, Spain will again welcome a high-level international tourism summit, one year after hosting the ministerial meeting in La Granja.

A symbol of the tourism Spain wants to promote

Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, expressed his satisfaction with the Council’s decision. Speaking in Riyadh, he described Toledo as a city “that symbolises the kind of tourism we want to promote around the world.” The Minister took part in the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, during which Sheikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates was appointed the organisation’s new Secretary-General.

Riyadh as the global stage for tourism dialogue

For several days, Riyadh has served as the world capital of tourism. Alongside the leadership transition in UN Tourism – whose permanent headquarters is located in Spain – the gathering marked the 50th anniversary of the organisation’s founding. Delegates also endorsed the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, which highlights the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for the sector.

Spain reinforces its role in sustainable transformation

Spain, recognised internationally for its forward-looking approach to tourism development, was represented at the Assembly by Minister Hereu and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez. Both reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to supporting the new Secretary-General in leading the sector’s sustainable transformation.

Minister Hereu also used the summit to advance bilateral cooperation and presented to member states Spain’s integrated plan for the use of Tourism Artificial Intelligence, together with the key principles of the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030, recently approved by the Council of Ministers.