Cartagena Selected to Host Upcoming UN Tourism Executive Council Meeting

The United Nations agency dedicated to developing the global tourism sector has selected Cartagena as the host city for the next meeting of its executive council.

The gathering, officially the 122nd meeting of the UN Tourism Executive Council, will be held in October and led by the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) along with the support from the Cartagena mayor’s office, the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, national business promotion agency ProColombia, and tourism promotion agencies Fontur and Corpoturismo.

The decision, which was made during a session held in Barcelona, saw Colombia’s Caribbean tourism jewel beat out second-place vote getter, the Bahamas, by a 21 to 11 margin.

“Thanks to the support of 21 nations for our candidacy and the outstanding experience of Colombia in building a culture of peace through tourism, we will receive this event that will represent a great economic impact for Cartagena, with an average expenditure of $480 USD per day per participant, according to data from the International Congress and Convention Association,” said Arturo Bravo, Colombia’s vice minister of tourism.

In parallel with the October meeting the “UN Tourism Tech Adventure Colombia” will be held to further promote tourism in the country.

Photo: One of Cartagena’s many iconic historic plazas. (Credit: MinCIT)