UN Tourism Innovates in Sector Education with the Launch of the First WhatsApp-Based Courses

UN Tourism launches the Digital Course on Hospitality via WhatsApp, a training initiative designed for professionals, entrepreneurs, and SMEs across the hospitality and tourism sector. Delivered entirely through WhatsApp, this pioneering programme, first introduced in Spain, marks a significant step forward in digital education.

WhatsApp-Based Hospitality Course
- UN Tourism has launched its first internationally recognized course delivered entirely via WhatsApp.
- Target audience: professionals, entrepreneurs, and SMEs in the hospitality and tourism sector.
- First rollout: Spain, with 2,000 fully subsidized places available for residents.

Content & Structure
- Short, mobile-friendly lessons covering:
- Day-to-day business management
- Digital marketing & customer loyalty
- Sustainability practices
- Promotion of local products and experiences
- Participants who complete all modules receive a joint certificate from UN Tourism and Fundación Mahou San Miguel.

Innovation & Accessibility
- Designed for those with limited time or who prefer mobile-first learning.
- Makes training more accessible, flexible, and practical, using a tool millions already use daily.
- Aims to strengthen local ecosystems and enhance visitor experiences through better-trained hospitality professionals.

Leadership Perspective
Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, emphasized that this is a “game changer” for skills development in tourism, combining innovation with immediate applicability.

This is a clever pivot: instead of traditional e-learning platforms, they’re meeting learners where they already are—on WhatsApp. It’s a low-barrier, high-impact approach.