Malta hosted the 72nd Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Europe, welcoming 33 European countries and around 150 delegates, including tourism ministers, senior officials, international experts and industry stakeholders.
The three-day programme brought together key tourism stakeholders to discuss the future of European tourism, focusing on sustainable growth, digitalisation, climate resilience, innovation and the importance of balancing visitor experiences with the wellbeing of local communities.
The meeting was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Dr Ian Borg together with UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Ms Shaikha Al Nuwais, during her first official visit to Malta and first Commission for Europe Meeting in her new role.
Discussions highlighted the importance of international cooperation and collective action in building a more sustainable, resilient and future-focused tourism sector.
The programme concluded with the high-level conference “Driving tourism towards the future we want: a Dialogue on policies to balance growth, people and planet”, jointly organised by UN Tourism, the Government of Malta and t-Forum Malta.
The conference brought together policymakers, academics, tourism professionals and industry representatives to explore solutions for sustainable tourism development, including climate adaptation, innovation, research and stronger collaboration across the sector.
Throughout the programme, Malta also hosted a series of bilateral meetings with international delegations, including representatives from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Montenegro and Israel, strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange in tourism.
The hosting of the UN Tourism Commission for Europe further reinforces Malta’s role as an active contributor to international tourism dialogue and reflects the country’s continued commitment to sustainable, innovative and resilient tourism development.
Malta continues to actively participate within UN Tourism through its engagement in the Commission for Europe, the General Assembly and the Committee for Tourism and Competitiveness, contributing towards shaping the future of global tourism.