UN Tourism unveils road map for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027

International

New framework marks shift from dialogue to delivery as preparations for the UN-mandated International Year gain momentum

UN Tourism has launched its official Road Map towards the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027, signalling a move from strategic discussion to concrete implementation. Mandated by the United Nations General Assembly, UN Tourism is leading preparations to position tourism as a transformative force within global development agendas beyond 2030.

A collaborative framework endorsed by Member States

The Road Map is the outcome of a collaborative process involving Member States and was formally welcomed by UN Tourism’s Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS). Meeting in Madrid, the Committee praised the organization’s inclusive approach and acknowledged the clear commitment of its new leadership to build momentum towards 2027 at an early stage.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais underlined the long-term ambition behind the initiative, stating: “Sustainability and resilience are not end goals, they are a continuous process. The International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027 will allow UN Tourism, as the leading international tourism organization, to support our Member States in positioning tourism as a truly transformative sector within the post-2030 agenda.”

Tourism’s role in global development agendas

The International Year is designed to elevate tourism’s contribution to national and global priorities, including climate action, inclusive growth and long-term resilience. By framing sustainability and resilience as ongoing processes rather than fixed targets, UN Tourism aims to strengthen policy coherence and encourage coordinated action across regions.

William Rodríguez López, Chair of the Committee and Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: “As leaders of tourism, we consistently highlight the sector’s transformative potential and its critical role in national and global development agendas, including climate action and reflections beyond 2030. The International Year offers a unique opportunity to translate this shared understanding into more concrete and coordinated action.”

Governance and next steps on the path to 2027

The build-up to 2027 will be anchored within the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability, guided by a Steering Committee of Member States. The process will be informed through consultations held during Regional Commission meetings and formally endorsed by UN Tourism’s Executive Council.

As a subsidiary body of the Executive Council, the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability is responsible for monitoring the implementation of UN Tourism’s programme of work on sustainable tourism. Through the newly launched Road Map, UN Tourism aims to ensure that preparations for the International Year are structured, inclusive and firmly focused on delivery.

With the Road Map now in place, UN Tourism has taken a decisive step towards mobilising its global membership around a shared vision of tourism as a driver of sustainability, resilience and long-term development well beyond 2027.