Marcelo Risi back at UNWTO as Senior Media Officer of Communications & Publications



Marcelo Risi is the new Senior Media Officer of Communications & Publications for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

He took a 2 year leave of absence from UNWTO and quietly returned under the new leadership of UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Marcelo is a Senior communications professional with 20+ years experience in the United Nations, international organisations, global broadcasting, journalism and communications lecturer.

Development economist by training, a native speaker of both Spanish and German, bilingual in English, fluent in Italian, beginner level in Portuguese and French.


Worked as a researcher and policy analyst for international think tanks before switching to international broadcasting, fulfilling a wide range of assignments, such as economics editor, current affairs producer, the special envoy, foreign correspondent, and presenter.

He provides a global perspective to local issues, against the backdrop of a multicultural upbringing in the Americas and Europe, and years of working experience in all world regions.

He told eTN when asked why responses from UNWTO are no longer routine and difficult: ” There is a new rule of procedure and approval.”