Madrid (Spain), June 29, 2018 – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and IE Business School, one of the world’s leading executive education centers, have agreed to join forces to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. Both will promote the role of academia within tourism innovation.

UNWTO has invited IE Business School to provide its support in the framework of UNWTO´s new strategy on innovation and digital transformation. This leading educational institution will give UNWTO strategic support to execute projects, expand and disseminate knowledge about innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism.

“We are delighted to be able to count on the reputation and international experience of IE Business School going forward”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “With their academics, experts, international networks and extensive teaching and research experience, they will be actively participating in our specialized forums, as well as in the development of knowledge in the framework of innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism”, he added.

UNWTO is a natural ally for Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño, the Executive President of IE University, to which IE Business School belongs. “As the UN specialized agency for the promotion of sustainable development through tourism, UNWTO is the ideal partner to develop mentoring and acceleration programmes for tourism startups and develop educational and training programmes in technology and innovation, conferences, and seminars, among many more options”, he said.

The agreement between both institutions has a renewable annual duration.