Research, best practices and new methodologies for tourism development are at the centre of an agreement signed between UNWTO and Spanish public company ISDEFE (Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de España). This agreement aims at developing pilot projects based on a range of subjects including connectivity, energy in tourism, among others.

UNWTO will draw on the expertise of Isdefe in providing engineering services to the Spanish Administration and international public bodies.

“We share a common view with Isdefe and this agreement will contribute to advance new concepts for tourism development which will be positioned in the global tourism agenda”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in signing the agreement.

Specific areas of cooperation include projects on tourism and infrastructure and connectivity, energy, and development assistance.

“We are proud to join our efforts to the work that UNWTO carries out in support of one of the leading economic activities of our time”, said Francisco Quereda Rubio, CEO of Isdefe. “This agreement consolidates our commitment to overall UN goals of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, which we subscribed already in 2009 when we joined the Global Compact of the United Nations”, he added.