The United Nations World Tourism Organization has reaffirmed its full support in promoting sustainable tourism development in Antigua and Barbuda.

Yesterday, Ambassador Dario Item, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the UNWTO as well as its Head of Permanent Mission to the Organization, had what has been hailed as fruitful discussions with UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili at the Madrid headquarters.

During the meeting, discussions were held at length, about the enormous efforts undertaken by the twin island state to recover after the crisis due to the pandemic phase.

“We also talked about the important strategic initiatives taken to revitalize tourism, which has been crowned with great success, the influx of visitors to the island, and how numbers have increased compared to pre-covid numbers,” Dario Item tells Antigua. news.

He said a road map was also established to be shared with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism, as a function of implementing a common strategic vision.

The Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili also announced his desire to visit Antigua and Barbuda in May accompanied by an official international delegation, Ambassador Item revealed.

Ambassador Dario Item came in for high praises from Pololikashvili, who did not fall short of thanking him for the fruitful work that has led to achieving important goals, especially in such a short time frame.

Moments after the meeting, Secretary General Pololikashvili, tweeted “Dear Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to Spain Dario Item, thank you for your contribution to making this real”

He said he could not be prouder of how Antigua and Barbuda has integrated UNWTO’s vision into their tourism strategy.

Back in December 2021, Antigua and Barbuda became UNWTO’s newest Member State and eighth in the Caribbean region when its application was approved by the 24th Session of the General Assembly in December 2021.

Ambassador Dario Item was appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Spain as its Permanent Representative to the UNWTO as well as its Head of Permanent Mission to the Organization.

Now as a Member State, UNWTO and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will work together to enhance the sector’s importance as a pillar of sustainable development, with innovation and tourism education shared priorities.