Reyes Maroto announces that the project for the new UNWTO headquarters will start in 2022

The minister announced that the necessary steps to develop the project will begin in 2022, fulfilling the Government of Spain's commitment to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

"With this project, Spain renews its commitment to the UNWTO, which will have a more modern and functional headquarters, located on a privileged site in Madrid, in the heart of the financial centre, which will give more visibility to the organisation. A headquarters in line with the role that the organisation is called upon to play in promoting sustainable, digital, safe and inclusive tourism", stressed Reyes Maroto in her speech to the media.

New UNWTO headquarters

Spain has begun work to host the UNWTO in a new headquarters located in the emblematic Palacio de Congresos in Madrid, located on the Paseo de la Castellana, opposite the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where the organisation will gain greater visibility.

The tender for the building refurbishment contract and the award of the contract will take place in 2022, and work can begin early the following year. The headquarters building has a total surface area of almost 8,000 m2; it consists of a basement for facilities and parking for more than 30 cars, a mezzanine floor, which houses the cafeteria and a multi-purpose exhibition hall, and three floors for offices and meeting rooms, including an auditorium of more than 500 m2 with translation booths.

The new headquarters has various measures aimed at energy efficiency and sustainability, such as solar panels, LED lighting and air-conditioning and ventilation systems with the highest performance.

In short, it will be a modern and functional headquarters, in an excellent location that will allow the international organisation to continue to lead the promotion of responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism for all.

Spain plays a very active role in the UNWTO

The UNWTO, of which Spain is a founding member, has had its headquarters in Madrid since its creation in 1975. Since 2003, and thanks to the impetus provided by Spain, among other countries, the UNWTO became part of the United Nations family as a specialised agency, which allowed it to establish itself as the main international institution in the field of tourism. In addition, Spain has contributed to fostering public-private partnership in the UNWTO sphere, giving special support to the programme of its Affiliate Members, with Spain being the country with the highest participation of public and private entities in this category of Affiliate Members.

Spain is currently working within the UNWTO to coordinate actions to facilitate safe international mobility that will allow the reactivation of the sector and to reinforce the multilateral agenda to promote the value of sustainable tourism as a source of employment and economic development, strengthening the active role of the organisation in protecting the environment and fighting against climate change.

In addition, Spain is co-leading the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme with France that aims to accelerate sustainable production and consumption in tourism policies and practices to address the challenges of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.

Non official translation