World Tourism Organization Welcomes Palau as its Newest Member

Saint Petersburg (Russia) – September 17, 2019 (travelindex.com) – UNWTO’s Member States unanimously welcomed Palau as a full Member at the 23rd General Assembly. The Pacific nation is made up of 240 islands and is committed to growing its tourism sector in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Palau is an archipelago of over 200 largely limestone and volcanic islands, covered in tropical forest, fringed by large barrier reefs and turquoise lagoons.

Palau is a pristine paradise with approximately 75% covered in native forest and mangroves, offering numerous activities and adventure options; explore the archaeological site at Babeldaob’s northernmost point, where you’ll find 37 large basalt monoliths on a hillside some weighing up to 4,500kg, visit the World War II battlefields, war memorials, and shrines or learn more about Palau’s rich cultural heritage at Ngarachamayong Cultural Centre.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development worldwide.

UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.

UNWTO’s membership includes 158 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 500 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.