Tourexpi
UN Tourism has joined forces with UMusic Hospitality
& Lifestyle (UMHL) — the entertainment-driven hospitality venture backed by
Universal Music Group — and the Center for Music Ecosystems (CME) to advance
music tourism as a driver of economic growth, community empowerment and
entrepreneurship. The collaboration was announced during the UN Tourism General
Assembly in Riyadh.
Creative industries as engines of development
A new Memorandum of Understanding positions music and
culture as catalysts for inclusive economic progress, particularly in
high-potential destinations. The initiative will also leverage the global reach
of newly appointed UN Tourism Ambassador Khabane Lame, one of the world’s most
influential digital creators with more than 250 million social media followers.
His role will help raise awareness of music’s economic value and inspire young
people to see creative careers as viable, sustainable opportunities.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili
emphasized the sector’s creative potential:
·
“Tourism is at its strongest when it amplifies creativity. By uniting
the creative and tourism sectors, we can strengthen local capacity, unlock
innovation, and ensure the benefits of culture and music reach communities
everywhere.”
·
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle CEO Robert Lavia added that music has
the power to energize destinations, strengthen local pride and generate
long-term economic impact through cultural investment.
Realizing the potential of music tourism
Tourism supports one in every nine jobs globally, and
music tourism alone is projected to reach $267 billion by 2030. Despite its
scale, the segment remains underdeveloped, especially in emerging markets where
policies, investment frameworks and industry networks are still evolving.
The new partnership aims to close this gap by aligning
objectives, improving data and research, and developing evidence-based
strategies to help destinations unlock music tourism’s full potential. CME will
publish a series of reports in the coming year, while UMHL will apply these
insights across its global portfolio of hotels and creative hubs.
The expanded mandate builds on CME’s broader mission
to strengthen music economies worldwide — creating jobs, supporting local
enterprise and using cultural development as a pathway out of poverty.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
The most interesting news
Read the News

Gobeklitepe Welcomes More Than 4.4 Million Visitors Since UNESCO Recognition
World's oldest known temple continues to strengthen southeastern Türkiye's appeal as a cultural tourism destination
Read the News

WTTC and UNEP Launch Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Tourism
New alliance will promote circular economy, biodiversity protection and measurable environmental action across the global Travel & Tourism sector
Read the News

British Airways Celebrates 80 Years of US Service with Major Lounge Investment
Airline marks transatlantic milestone while unveiling plans to enhance premium customer experience across the United States
Read the News

Deutsche Bank Expands SAF Partnership with Lufthansa Group
Investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 5,500 tonnes
Read the News

Ryanair Urges Delay of EU Entry-Exit System Until September
Airline warns of longer border control queues during the summer holiday peak and calls for governments to postpone the EES rollout
Read the News

Marriott International Selects The Coca-Cola Company as Global Beverage Partner
Strategic agreement expands beverage choices across Marriott's worldwide hotel portfolio
Read the News

Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket Service
New route marks the first milestone of TAT's partnership with Vietnam Airlines and strengthens regional tourism links
Read the News

Traveloka and Marriott International Expand Partnership Across Southeast Asia
Multi-year agreement gives Traveloka users direct access to Marriott's global hotel portfolio
Read the News

Taiwan Tourism Showcases Year-Round Experiences in Australia and New Zealand
Three-city roadshow strengthens trade partnerships and highlights Taiwan's growing appeal to regional travellers
Read the News

IHG Expands Greater China Portfolio with New Hotel Openings in Second Half of 2026
New properties across major cities, transport hubs and leisure destinations strengthen the group's multi-brand presence
Read the News

Marella Cruises launches new brand campaign celebrating authentic travel memories
Integrated campaign targets travellers over 40 with a fresh perspective on cruising
Read the News

Ko Samui Named Asia Pacific's Best Island at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026
Thailand secures five top destination rankings, with Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Chang and Chiang Mai also recognised
Read the News

Temple of Apollo Opens for Evening Visits Under Türkiye's Night Museum Programme
Ancient sanctuary in Didim offers visitors a new way to experience one of the world's most important oracle sites during the summer season
Read the News

Wego and Tourism Malaysia launch partnership to boost travel from the Middle East
Joint campaign will promote Malaysia's diverse experiences ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
Read the News

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Unveils Extraordinary Christmas and New Year Voyages for 2026/2027
Luxury and expedition ships will celebrate the festive season from the Caribbean to Antarctica
Read the News

TAT’s CF-Hotels Platform Wins Green Leadership Award at AREA 2026
Recognition highlights Thailand’s efforts to transform low-carbon tourism policy into measurable action across the hotel sector
Read the News

Agoda Highlights Cool-Climate Destinations Across Asia Pacific for Summer Travelers
From New Zealand's winter landscapes to Malaysia's highlands, the travel platform recommends refreshing escapes from the summer heat
Read the News

Eurowings Celebrates GNTM Winner Aurélie with WINGS Magazine Cover
Flight attendant and Germany's Next Top Model winner becomes the face of the airline's summer in-flight magazine
Read the News

International Visitors Expected to Spend Nearly €64 Billion in Spain This Summer
Tourism spending is forecast to outpace visitor growth again as Spain prepares for another record summer season
Read the News

IHG Surpasses 200 Hotels in Canada as Expansion Continues
New openings and upcoming brand launches strengthen the company's long-term growth strategy
Read the News

Harbour City Celebrates Toy Story 5 with Large-Scale Hong Kong Carnival
Immersive attractions, interactive experiences and exclusive exhibitions transform the waterfront destination into a Toy Story universe