United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has made a historic visit to the headquarters of UN Tourism in Madrid, becoming the first UN Secretary-General to visit the organisation at its new headquarters, according to UN Tourism.
Guterres, who is nearing the end of his 10-year term as the head of UN, visited the headquarters on November 5, 2026, where he was received by UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais. The visit formed part of his official trip to Spain to attend the 30th Ibero-American Summit.
Following his meeting with Al Nuwais, Guterres engaged with staff of UN Tourism and representatives of other United Nations agencies based in Spain.
Addressing the gathering, the UN chief underscored the importance of tourism as an instrument for peace and a means of advancing the principles of the UN Charter across the world.
He emphasised that tourism extends beyond its economic contribution, describing it as a powerful platform for connecting people, promoting cultural understanding and strengthening relationships between nations.
The visit was particularly significant for UN Tourism as it offered an opportunity to reaffirm the sector’s place within the wider United Nations development agenda.
The new UN Tourism headquarters was officially inaugurated on June 29, 2026, by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Madrid Conference Centre. The facility, covering approximately 8,000 square meters, includes office spaces and an auditorium and incorporates energy-efficiency features.
Guterres had sent a video message for the inauguration, welcoming the new headquarters as an important milestone for international cooperation and the tourism sector.
His November visit therefore marked a significant moment in the relationship between the United Nations leadership and its specialized agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism.
