Harry Theoharis proposes expanding UN Tourism's membership

04-02-25

Harry Theoharis, former Minister of Tourism of Greece and current candidate for UN Tourism Secretary General, has proposed the incorporation of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Nordic nations to the organization. His goal is to strengthen UN Tourism's capacity for impact, relevance and participation at the global level.

Theoharis, who officially launched his candidacy during FITUR 2025 in Madrid, under the slogan “reform to transform, unite to grow,” has presented a series of initiatives aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency within UN Tourism. These proposals seek to bring greater value to both current member states and the international tourism community as a whole.

One of the priorities highlighted by Theoharis is the structural reform of the organization to ensure greater transparency and accountability in its operations. He believes that the inclusion of countries that are not currently part of UN Tourism, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, is essential to expand the organization's influence and representativeness on the world tourism scene.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), also known as UN Tourism, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a source of knowledge in the sector. Currently, 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.

However, influential countries in the field of tourism, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, are not currently part of the organization. The addition of these nations could bring valuable perspectives and significant resources, enriching discussions and decisions within UN Tourism.

Theoharis is recognized for his leadership at the Greek Ministry of Tourism, where he implemented strategies that prioritized sustainability and technological innovation. Under his leadership, Greece diversified its tourism offerings, promoted off-season tourism and adopted technologies that enhanced the visitor experience. During the pandemic, his management was key to the recovery of tourism in Greece, implementing sanitary protocols and promotional campaigns that repositioned the country as a safe destination. His vision for UNWTO includes strengthening sustainable tourism policies, fostering cooperation among member countries and promoting digitalization and innovation as essential tools to face the challenges of the sector.

Theoharis' candidacy joins other contenders for the position of UN Tourism Secretary General, including incumbent Zurab Pololikashvili and Gloria Guevara, who is considered by some to be the best positioned and most widely supported. Each candidate brings a unique vision and experience that could influence the future direction of the organization. Guevara offers a perspective focused on international collaboration and international experience to work together; Theoharis proposes a focus on technological innovation and environmental sustainability with a forward-looking perspective; while Pololikashvili seeks to continue projects that have been initiated.

The election of the next secretary general of UN Tourism is crucial at a time when global tourism faces significant challenges. The inclusion of countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom could strengthen the organization and promote a more inclusive and representative approach to global tourism governance.

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