History and Evolution of UN Tourism

The evolution of United Nations (UN) Tourism reflects a distinctive trajectory in the development of law of international organisations, originating from the transformation of the International Union of Official Travel Organisations (IUOTO) into the intergovernmental World Tourism Organisation (WTO) in 1975. Established in 1925 as a non-governmental body, IUOTO promoted tourism as a means of economic growth, international understanding, and peace. The IUOTO’s transition to WTO involved a unique ‘auto-transformation’ process, converting a non-governmental organisation into an intergovernmental entity while maintaining a degree of continuity. This transformation reflected broader trends in international cooperation, emphasizing stakeholder inclusivity and collaboration with the UN. In 2003, the organisation became a specialised agency, under the acronym UNWTO, further formalising its coordination with the UN system and consolidating its role in global tourism governance. The rebranding of UNWTO as ‘UN Tourism’ in January 2024 was intended to dispel the confusion associated with its previous designation, while simultaneously reaffirming the organisation’s core mission and strategic priorities. The organisation’s history highlights the interplay between private and public actors, soft law mechanisms, and multilateral diplomacy in shaping the development and regulation of international tourism.