Croatia has been elected Member of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for 2021-25 at a meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, and Tourism and Sports Minister Nikola Brnjac said that confirmed Croatia's value as a destination and leader in tourism development, state agency Hina reported on Friday.

The meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe was held this week in Athens, with Minister Brnjac attending, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said on Friday, adding that Brnjac “expressed pride” that Croatia had been elected Member of the UNWTO Executive Council.

“Through the work in the UNWTO Executive Council we will continue to promote sustainable tourism development, protection and valorisation of cultural and natural heritage, digital transformation and, above all, greater added value of tourism for local communities,” Hina quoted Brnjac as saying.

In Athens, the UNWTO Commission for Europe discussed topics important for the recovery and relaunch of tourism during and after the pandemic, with emphasis on sustainable development and the fact that tourism is important for the economic recovery of many countries.