Toledo (Spain) to host the 126th UN Tourism Executive Council meeting

13-11-25

The historic city of Toledo has been chosen as the venue for the 126th meeting of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization—UN Tourism—scheduled for June 10 and 11, 2026. (lavanguardia.com) The announcement was made during the organization’s recent General Assembly in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), where the Spanish delegation succeeded in securing formal ratification of the host country’s proposal. (lavanguardia.com)

For Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, the designation is a major opportunity to “showcase Spain’s cultural values,” adding that Toledo is “a city that symbolizes the kind of tourism we want in the world.” (lavanguardia.com) Spain’s selection as host underscores its international standing as a tourism leader and reinforces its commitment to policies that are transforming and making the sector more sustainable.

Beyond providing the stage for announcing Toledo, the Riyadh summit took on special significance as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism, marked by the adoption of the “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism,” which recognizes the central role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in the sector’s development. (lavanguardia.com) In this context, the Spanish delegation—comprising Minister Hereu and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez—presented its integrated plan for using AI in tourism and outlined the recently approved “Spain Tourism 2030” strategy. (lavanguardia.com)

Toledo’s nomination carries multiple implications. First, it consolidates Spain’s international visibility as a leading destination and a host of top-tier global forums. Second, it grants Toledo a unique platform to showcase its heritage, culture, and tourism assets to delegations from around the world who will attend the meeting. Third, it boosts the country’s tourism innovation agenda, aligning with the new narrative of transforming the sector toward sustainability, digitalization, and high-quality experiences.

Hosting this international meeting is also a challenge: it will require a high level of organization, logistics, security, lodging infrastructure, and premium services. It is an ideal occasion for regional and local authorities in Castilla–La Mancha—the autonomous community where Toledo is located—to coordinate closely with Spain’s central government to prepare an environment worthy of such an event. Beyond logistics, gatherings of this nature generate a significant impact on the local economy: they stimulate the hotel, restaurant, transport, and retail sectors while strengthening the destination’s image for events and business tourism.

It is also worth noting that Toledo’s selection reflects the destination’s singular profile: a monumental city with renowned historical heritage that blends architecture, tradition, culture, and active tourism in a highly valued setting. This uniqueness amplifies the broader tourism story Spain is promoting: more qualitative tourism that respects the environment, connects with local identity, and embraces technological innovation.

From an international perspective, the UN Tourism Executive Council meeting will provide a venue to discuss the sector’s major challenges at a time of rapid transformation. Topics such as technology (AI, big data, digital platforms), sustainability, cultural diversity, inclusiveness, collaborative governance, and resilience in the face of global crises are likely to be central to the debate. A Spanish host city offers a symbolic backdrop for exploring how destinations with a high concentration of heritage and visitors can reinvent themselves without losing their essence.

The confirmation of Toledo as the venue for the 126th Executive Council therefore reaffirms a strategic bet: to position Spain as a laboratory for tourism best practices and as a global benchmark for tourism governance. The event is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Spain—and Toledo in particular—to amplify its presence on the international tourism agenda, attract specialized media attention, and forge synergies with public and private stakeholders from around the world.

Ultimately, this appointment is more than choosing a city for an event: it is a recognition of Spain’s model, a global showcase for Toledo, and a sign that tourism—far from being merely leisure—functions as an instrument of development, innovation, and diplomacy. As June 2026 approaches, expectations will focus on tangible outcomes: a roadmap for global tourism, lasting collaborations, innovative investments, and an invitation to rethink why and how we travel.

In collaboration with:

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.

Legal notice