UNWTO formally recognised WYSE Travel Confederation among its longest-standing Affiliate Members, at the Award Ceremony organised during the 44th Affiliate Members Plenary Session, held on 16 October 2023 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).
Awarded by UNWTO Secretary General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, the certificate acknowledges WYSE Travel Confederation’s dedication to the tourism sector, its commitment to shaping the industry and its support of UNWTO over the last 40 years.
Throughout these fruitful years of collaboration, WYSE Travel Confederation and UNWTO have partnered in order to bring new research and knowledge to the youth and student travel industry. In 2011, the global report on The Power of Youth Travel was produced as an Affiliate Members Report published by UNWTO and WYSE Travel Confederation. The report outlines a collection of articles and case studies documenting the economic and social impact of youth, student and educational travel. In 2015, WYSE Travel Confederation and UNWTO announced an updated estimate of the size of the global youth travel market, according to which youth and student travellers represent 23% of international tourist arrivals.
UNWTO has also attended a number of editions of the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), with representatives such as Taleb Rifai, former Secretary General and Alessandra Priante, Regional Director for Europe participating in the educational programme.
WYSE Travel Confederation looks forward to many more years of collaboration with UNWTO, working together in the interest of the youth travel industry.
Alessandra Priante, WYSTC 2022
The Power of Youth Travel report, 2011
Taleb Rifai, WYSTC 2012