UNWTO Partners with FC Barcelona in Areas of Tourism and Sports

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and FC Barcelona will collaborate in the areas of tourism and sports, following the recent signing of an agreement.

Signed between UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, the agreement sets the framework for both entities to define areas of common interest in tourism and sport, which will allow the definition of joint projects in this field.

“The relationship between tourism and sports is very significant and we are very pleased to begin this important collaboration,” said Pololikashvili.

FC Barcelona is a multi-sports club with international projection thanks mainly to its football team, which enjoys a large following worldwide. In addition, it has a global presence in 12 other sports disciplines, including basketball, handball, athletics and field hockey, among others.

“I am sure that this agreement will open up new opportunities to maximize the joint contribution of tourism and sport to socioeconomic development and the competitiveness of destinations,” he added.

The signing of the agreement coincided with the appointment of footballer Lionel Messi as UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism.