Madrid, Jan 24 (EFE).- Greek former minister and candidate for the post of UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) secretary-general, Harry Theoharis, says he believes it is necessary to “keep an eye on” the “emerging phenomenon” of mass tourism, and that the organization he seeks to lead is in a “unique position” to evaluate strategies and advise member countries on this issue.
“We have many tools in our arsenal, ranging from administrative bans to taxation to increased spending in infrastructure to many, many things that the governments can do, always in cooperation with the private sector,” Theoharis said in an interview with EFE at the International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur), held this week in Madrid.
He noted that “some of those things will work better than others, and I think UN tourism is uniquely positioned in assessing the effect of those tools as they are used by the different member states that come across this problem.”
The former minister lamented that “unfortunately, short-term rentals have linked the housing market to tourism,” which has placed the sector under scrutiny.
“This is a very important issue from political, social, and economic perspectives, so we need to monitor and be uniquely positioned to advise governments,” he said.
Under the slogan “Reform to transform, unite to grow,” Theoharis has presented his candidacy for the UN agency responsible for tourism during Fitur. His program aims to “revitalize” the organization and is built on three pillars: greater transparency, new tools to add value to the sector, and alternative financing options.
In this regard, Theoharis aims to lead an organization “that reports on how it uses its funds and what initiatives it adopts” and offers support tools for member states to develop their strategies. Among his proposals, he also advocates creating additional revenue streams for the organization.
Resilience against crises and disasters
Having weathered one of the tourism sector’s most significant crises in recent years—the COVID-19 pandemic—the UNWTO reported that international tourism levels returned to pre-pandemic figures in 2024. Theoharis argues that the organization must continue working to enhance the sector’s resilience.
Disasters like the floods in Valencia, Spain, or the wildfires in Los Angeles, U.S., “affect the tourism industry and the social and economic fabric,” he stressed. He called for multilateralism to “find solutions and agreements” to tackle such challenges.
In this context, sustainability is both a global challenge and a priority in his candidacy. He proposes moving “beyond pilot projects and awards” to implement best practices, develop methodologies, and extend them to all countries, regions, and destinations.
Technology, he noted, can be a key ally, and he believes his background as a software engineer can help bring innovative solutions:
“The organization must set an example for the sector in its commitment to digitalization and the use of new tools,” he highlighted.
Cooperation with Spain
For Theoharis, Fitur offers an opportunity to rally support for his candidacy. While he declined to specify which countries back him, he emphasized that cooperation with Spain, home to the UNWTO headquarters, could be “a cornerstone of the success” of his program.
“I think Spain should play a more prominent role, and Spain this year is going to have a record year and surpass every country in the world.”
As a result, the candidate for UNWTO secretary-general believes the country “has much to offer and extensive experience to share with the rest of the international tourism community,” he said. EFE