The United Nations World Tourism Organisation executive council has recommended Zurab Pololikashvili for the role of secretary general.

If confirmed later this year, he will take up the role in January 2018, serving until 2021.

The decision was revealed during the 105th session of the UNWTO executive council, meeting in Madrid, Spain, earlier.

Pololikashvili is currently ambassador of Georgia to Spain.

The candidature was presented by Georgia in accordance with the UNWTO statutes.

The recommendation will be submitted to the upcoming 22nd UNWTO general assembly for ratification.

The event takes place from September 11th-16th in Chengdu, China.

Pololikashvili has broad experience of working in both private and public sectors at high-profile positions.

He has extensive diplomatic experience, having represented Georgia to the World Tourism Organisation.

He also held a position of the deputy minister of foreign affairs in his native Georgia from 2005-06.