Harry Theoharis Announces Candidacy for UN Tourism Secretary-General at FITUR 2025
Harry Theoharis has officially declared his candidacy for the esteemed position of Secretary-General of UN Tourism during this week’s FITUR 2025 tourism conference held in Madrid. Under the inspirational slogan, "Reform to Transform, Unite to Grow," Theoharis outlined his vision for the future of global tourism governance.
With a notable background in organizational transformation and public sector improvement, Theoharis aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency within UN Tourism to better serve member states and the global tourism community.
In his opening remarks, Theoharis stated, "Together, we will shape UN Tourism into a force for good that is equitable, inclusive, and regenerative, genuinely representing its member states and driving positive change across the sector." He positions himself as a unifier, determined to restore leadership of UN Tourism back to its members by tackling transparency issues and addressing divisions that have affected the agency’s effectiveness and credibility in recent years.
"UN Tourism is an organization of the United Nations, and the Secretary-General must prioritize the interests of the member states above his own. I will ensure that governance bodies perform their functions without impediment, empowering member states to take bold actions for mutual prosperity and maximizing our contribution towards achieving sustainable development goals," he added.
Theoharis’ first major initiative, if elected, will focus on organizational reform aimed at fostering greater transparency and accountability. He proposes a series of initiatives that include establishing clear governance standards and metrics, publishing regular reports, conducting independent audits, and creating a central, publicly accessible platform that provides real-time data on project outcomes, financial performance, and progress against goals.
His program and key initiatives have already garnered enthusiastic support from numerous member states and multilateral tourism organizations throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Just last week, the African Tourism Board officially endorsed Theoharis' candidacy, recognizing his commitment to promoting investment, education, and sustainability while increasing the continent’s global market share in tourism.
As Africa’s tourism potential continues to grow, the African Tourism Board sees Theoharis as a pivotal figure capable of representing the region’s interests on the world stage.
In the coming days, Theoharis is set to engage with tourism ministers from various countries during the FITUR event. "I look forward to meeting many of my colleagues from member states as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism in Madrid. As a global reference for exemplary tourism practices and the home of UN Tourism, Spain has much to offer our global community, and I am eager to enhance cooperation between UN Tourism and the host country," he remarked.
Theoharis’ candidacy signifies not only his vision for the future of global tourism governance but also a commitment to revitalizing the role of UN Tourism in fostering unity and growth among its member states. His approach resonates with the pressing need for a transparent, engaged, and solution-oriented leadership in one of the world’s most critical sectors.
With a notable background in organizational transformation and public sector improvement, Theoharis aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency within UN Tourism to better serve member states and the global tourism community.
In his opening remarks, Theoharis stated, "Together, we will shape UN Tourism into a force for good that is equitable, inclusive, and regenerative, genuinely representing its member states and driving positive change across the sector." He positions himself as a unifier, determined to restore leadership of UN Tourism back to its members by tackling transparency issues and addressing divisions that have affected the agency’s effectiveness and credibility in recent years.
"UN Tourism is an organization of the United Nations, and the Secretary-General must prioritize the interests of the member states above his own. I will ensure that governance bodies perform their functions without impediment, empowering member states to take bold actions for mutual prosperity and maximizing our contribution towards achieving sustainable development goals," he added.
Theoharis’ first major initiative, if elected, will focus on organizational reform aimed at fostering greater transparency and accountability. He proposes a series of initiatives that include establishing clear governance standards and metrics, publishing regular reports, conducting independent audits, and creating a central, publicly accessible platform that provides real-time data on project outcomes, financial performance, and progress against goals.
His program and key initiatives have already garnered enthusiastic support from numerous member states and multilateral tourism organizations throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Just last week, the African Tourism Board officially endorsed Theoharis' candidacy, recognizing his commitment to promoting investment, education, and sustainability while increasing the continent’s global market share in tourism.
As Africa’s tourism potential continues to grow, the African Tourism Board sees Theoharis as a pivotal figure capable of representing the region’s interests on the world stage.
In the coming days, Theoharis is set to engage with tourism ministers from various countries during the FITUR event. "I look forward to meeting many of my colleagues from member states as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism in Madrid. As a global reference for exemplary tourism practices and the home of UN Tourism, Spain has much to offer our global community, and I am eager to enhance cooperation between UN Tourism and the host country," he remarked.
Theoharis’ candidacy signifies not only his vision for the future of global tourism governance but also a commitment to revitalizing the role of UN Tourism in fostering unity and growth among its member states. His approach resonates with the pressing need for a transparent, engaged, and solution-oriented leadership in one of the world’s most critical sectors.
Topics Travel）
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