Expedia and UNWTO agree partnership to support tourism’s recovery

OTA will share data and to strengthen ties between public and private sectors

Expedia and The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have agreed a partnership to support the sector.

The OTA has agreed to strengthen ties between the public and private sectors and drive tourism’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed this week in Brussels will see collaboration on a range of topics to make the sector more resilient and sustainable.

The partnership will see Expedia and the UNWTO share data on tourism trends and developments at the global and the local scale.

The UNWTO said this will help “inform decision-making, producing data-based policies aimed a tourism’s sustainable recovery and future development”.

Joint actions will focus on market intelligence and innovation. UNWTO and Expedia will also work together to promote entrepreneurship and professional education and consumer protection.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “From the very start of this crisis, UNWTO has been a strong advocate of close cooperation between the public and private sectors.

“This enhanced partnership will help improve our knowledge of global tourism trends, allowing us to respond to new challenges and guide tourism’s recovery. It will also help us place innovation and sustainability at the heart of this recovery, ensuring tourism emerges stronger than before.”