ZAGREB,  8 Nov (Hina) - The Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) has once again been elected to the Board of Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) for the 2026–2029 term,  a major success and significant recognition for HTZ achieved amid strong international competition.

The news comes from Riyadh, where the inaugural session of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members Board was held on Saturday, HTZ announced in a press release.

"The new mandate is extremely important for us, as it allows the continuation of our ongoing activities and the initiation of new projects that will enhance the international visibility and sustainability of Croatian tourism," said Kristjan Staničić, Director of HTZ, who attended the session.

He added that the new term opens further opportunities for active contribution to the work of the Board, particularly in the preparation and implementation of the new biennial work programme of the UN Tourism Affiliate Membership.

Staničić reminded that during the previous mandate, HTZ successfully proposed and implemented numerous initiatives and programmes, most notably the organisation of the 2nd World Sports Tourism Congress in Zadar in 2023, which brought together around 400 participants from across the globe.

The Affiliate Members Board is composed of 23 members: 12 regional, eight global, and three appointed by the UNWTO Secretary-General. The Board serves as an advisory body to the Secretary-General, with the aim of promoting sustainable, responsible, and competitive global tourism.