UN Tourism has officially opened its new Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, aiming to enhance investment promotion in the region. One of the initial outcomes is a set of guidelines for increasing green investments, emphasizing biodiversity’s role in tourism.

The Rio Office will focus on developing strategies for training young professionals with the skills needed for the tourism sector’s growth.

During the inauguration, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, to discuss upcoming projects at the Office, which aims to act as a hub for tourism development in Brazil and the broader region.

Pololikashvili stated, “The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Americas will support the advancement of the tourism sector not only in Brazil but across the entire region. Rio de Janeiro will become a center for ideas and leadership, emphasizing growth and securing investments,” emphasizing sustainable development.

Future initiatives led by the Regional Office will focus on women’s empowerment and indigenous tourism promotion, as well as enhancing multi-destination routes such as the Jesuit Route in South America. This establishes UN Tourism’s presence in the region, complementing its headquarters in Madrid.