Providing the tourism sector with the necessary tools to help overcome the current economic situation is among UNWTO’s increased response efforts. Short-term economic goals must be aligned with long-term commitments to sustainable development, poverty alleviation and climate change response. This will be the focus of the four major UNWTO events and other activities at FITUR 2009 (28 January - 01 February, Madrid, Spain).

UNWTO activities will concentrate on the challenges for global tourism in the current economic situation. The first official meeting of the UNWTO Tourism Resilience Committee will be the primary event, representing a unique opportunity to discuss the volatile economic situation and:
- receive and share market information,
- identify best practise responses, and
- help focus broader sectoral approaches and policy recommendations.

FITUR 2009 will be preceded by UNWTO’s annual news conference (27 January) where the latest edition of the World Tourism Barometer will be presented, along with the Organization’s main policy highlights for the near future.

UNWTO will also hold special events for Tourism Ministers from Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.