A corruption scandal centered around Koldo—an influential figure in Spain’s tourism industry—is gaining momentum, raising serious concerns about transparency in international institutions.
According to several Spanish media outlets, the trail leads to Zurab Pololikashvili, the current Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Journalists suggest that Koldo may have leveraged his business connections to influence decisions on funding tourism-related projects worldwide.
Unofficial sources indicate that cooperation between Koldo and key individuals within the UNWTO may have involved financial and political advantages. Although official statements from the organization strongly deny any wrongdoing, the investigation is ongoing, with further witness testimonies shedding new light on the affair.
Pololikashvili himself has yet to release a detailed response, stating only that the UNWTO upholds the highest ethical standards. Experts, however, warn that this scandal could seriously damage the credibility of the institution, which is responsible for overseeing tourism development and promotion on a global scale.
