Harry Theoharis officially announced his candidacy for Secretary-General of UN Tourism at the FITUR conference in Madrid, pledging reforms to transform the organisation and unite its members.
Under the slogan “Reform to transform, unite to grow,” Mr Theoharis aims to address long-standing issues of transparency and governance within UN Tourism. He outlined plans to improve accountability, strengthen collaboration, and advance the organisation’s role in achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the launch, Mr Theoharis said: “Together, we will make UN Tourism prosperous and purposeful: an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative force for good that truly represents its Member States and drives positive change across the sector.”
The Greek politician and former government minister has built a reputation for implementing successful organisational and technological reforms in the public sector. His campaign seeks to restore member trust by creating governance structures that ensure the interests of member states remain at the forefront.
Mr Theoharis added: “UN Tourism is an agency of the United Nations, and the Secretary General must serve the members’ interests before their own. I will ensure governance organs function freely, empowering Member States to pioneer bold policies for shared prosperity.”
A core element of his programme focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability. Mr Theoharis plans to introduce clear governance standards, regular reporting, and independent audits. Additionally, he proposes a centralised platform to provide real-time data on project outcomes, financial performance, and progress toward organisational goals.
The campaign has gained international backing, with several member states and organisations voicing their support. Last week, the African Tourism Board endorsed Mr Theoharis, praising his work to promote investment, education, and sustainability in Africa. The board emphasised his potential to help Africa expand its global tourism market share.
Mr Theoharis has actively engaged with leaders across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, advocating for inclusive growth and sustainability in the tourism sector. His candidacy has been seen as a unifying force amidst challenges that have weakened the organisation’s credibility in recent years.
This week, Mr Theoharis continues his campaign at FITUR, meeting with tourism ministers and industry representatives. As UN Tourism celebrates its 50th anniversary, Mr Theoharis highlighted Spain’s role as a global leader in tourism and a key partner in advancing the organisation’s mission.
“Spain has much to offer as a world reference for tourism best practice and the host of UN Tourism. I look forward to increasing collaboration between UN Tourism and its host member state,” he said.
Mr Theoharis’s campaign promises to bring a renewed focus on equitable development, ensuring UN Tourism becomes a driving force for positive global change.