The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a step forward in the partnership between the two organisations, highlighting their mutual dedication to advancing sustainable practices and raising awareness about the positive impact of Sports Tourism on destinations. By combining expertise and influence, it aims to leverage the power of world-class sporting events to drive tourism, economic growth, and sustainability.
The MoU was signed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sualyem and UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili during the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Monza, Italy.
The intersection of sports and tourism offers immense potential for sustainable development, economic growth, and the promotion of cultural exchange. Our partnership with the Affiliate Member FIA is a crucial step forward in realising this potential. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili
This partnership with UN Tourism is a testament to the FIA’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and social responsibility. By aligning our global initiatives with UN Tourism’s mission, we are not only promoting responsible travel but also setting new benchmarks for sustainability across all FIA events. Our dedication extends beyond advocacy; we are actively implementing sustainable practices, educating future generations, and driving meaningful change in the world of sports and tourism. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
UN Tourism and FIA: 40 years of collaboration
Over 40 years of Affiliate Membership with UN Tourism, the FIA has served as the leading entity in the field of global motorsports and sustainable tourism. Under Ben Sulayem’s leadership, the Federation oversees some of the world’s most prestigious motor racing events, including Formula 1, which draws millions of international fans and significantly boosts local tourism in host cities.
In recognition of his contributions, FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been appointed as UN Tourism’s Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism, in the category of “Sport”. This appointment highlights his dedication to integrating sustainability into motorsport events and activities, promoting initiatives that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing the global tourism landscape.
He said: I am honoured on behalf of the FIA to be appointed as an UN Tourism Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism. The FIA has been a trendsetter in this field across sport, mobility and tourism. Together with our partners at UN Tourism, I will ensure that the federation continues to focus on delivering vital sustainability solutions for all.”
Sports Tourism: Growing Relevance
The collaboration between UN Tourism and the FIA will contribute to advancing the understanding of Sports Tourism’s potential. With an approximate value of $609 billion, and with a 17.5% annual growth rate, it is one of the fastest-growing sectors within tourism, with the tourism and sports sectors closely linked via their impact both socially and culturally and their roles in economic diversification and social development.
As UN Tourism continues to promote this dynamic field, the upcoming 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (Madrid, Spain, 28-29 November 2024) will serve as a key platform for advancing these discussions. The FIA is expected to play an active role, bringing its expertise to the forefront of debates on sustainability, economic development, and global collaboration in Sports Tourism.
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About the FIA
Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris and Geneva, the FIA is a non-profit organisation. It brings together 243 motoring and motor sport club members from 147 countries across five continents. Its Member Clubs represent millions of motorists, mobility users and motor sport professionals and volunteers.
In motor sport, it administers the rules and regulations for all international four-wheel sport, including the FIA World Rally Championship and regional rally championships, to ensure fair, capably regulated and safe events are conducted in all corners of the globe. In the realm of Mobility, the FIA aims to ensure that safe, affordable and clean systems of transport are available to all.
About UN Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
Our Priorities
Mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda: Advocating the value of tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth and development, its inclusion as a priority in national and international policies and the need to create a level playing field for the sector to develop and prosper.
Promoting sustainable tourism development: Supporting sustainable tourism policies and practices: policies which make optimal use of environmental resources, respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and provide socio-economic benefits for all.
Fostering knowledge, education and capacity building: Supporting countries to assess and address their needs in education and training, as well as providing networks for knowledge creation and exchange.
Improving tourism competitiveness: Improving UN Tourism Members’ competitiveness through knowledge creation and exchange, human resources development and the promotion of excellence in areas such as policy planning, statistics and market trends, sustainable tourism development, marketing and promotion, product development and risk and crisis management.
Advancing tourism’s contribution to poverty reduction and development: Maximizing the contribution of tourism to poverty reduction and achieving the SDGs by making tourism work as a tool for development and promoting the inclusion of tourism in the development agenda.
Building partnerships: Engaging with the private sector, regional and local tourism organizations, academia and research institutions, civil society and the UN system to build a more sustainable, responsible and competitive tourism sector.
Our Structure
Members: An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members.
Organs: The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council take all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly.
Secretariat: UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and organized into departments covering issues such as sustainability, education, tourism trends and marketing, sustainable development, statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), destination management, ethics and risk and crisis management. The Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department carries out development projects in over 100 countries worldwide, while the Regional Departments for Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East serve as the link between UN Tourism and its 160 Member States. The Affiliate Members Department represents UN Tourism’s 500 plus Affiliate members.
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