In the framework of the UNWTO Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism held in the capital of Portugal Lisbon, an agreement between Bakhyt Sultanov, the former Mayor of the city of Nur-Sultan, and Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General was signed. The agreement was about the organization and holding the 8th UNWTO Global Summit on urban tourism at the main topic of "Smart cities, smart destinations’.

UNWTO is the World Tourism Organization, a specialized UN intergovernmental agency whose main goal is to develop sustainable and accessible tourism.

In accordance with the UN New Urban Development Program and the Sustainable Development Goals, smart cities are currently one of the key players in the tourism market. They have a positive impact not only on the lives and culture of their residents and visitors but also are becoming more convenient and livable, sustainable and accessible to all. It is also necessary to take into account an important fact of an economic multiplier: smart cities are stimulating sustainable socio-economic development, employment, and overall infrastructure development.

In this regard, the UNWTO's 8th Global Summit on Urban Tourism will focus on how the development of smart cities can help to solve the complex urban problems that many destinations around the world face today. The most important issues of sustainability, accessibility, urban governance, innovation, and technology will be discussed.

Venue: Palace of Independence

Date: 9-12th of October.

Registration will be available at the official website of Astana Convention Bureau.

For international registration, please visit http://bit.ly/2PiYegt.