Guided tours at UNHQ resumed on 1 December, after almost two years of being closed to the public in the wake of the pandemic.

Visitors from Spain and Israel were the first to enter the compound and walk the corridors of international diplomacy. 

At a time when people around the world are looking to the UN for answers to global challenges, tour guides are once again able to engage in person with visitors to discuss UN priority issues, including climate change, COVID-19 and armed conflicts around the world.

Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications, joined the tour guides in welcoming the first customers, who were visibly surprised by the warm welcome. 

“Being the face of the Organization for so many visitors – both in-person and virtually nowadays – our multilingual tour guides play a pivotal role in shaping people's perceptions of the role and importance of the United Nations,” said Mr. Nasser.

Since the beginning of the tour operations in 1952, more than 42 million visitors have taken a guided tour at UNHQ; approximately a quarter of a million visitors per year. 

During the pandemic, Visitors Services continued to engage and educate the public across digital platforms by conducting virtual tours, often combined with online briefings given by expert UN speakers, to some 16,400 online visitors.

They reached a younger, more diverse, and global audience.

In compliance with the New York City mandate, proof of COVID-19 vaccination (age 12+) and masks (age 2+) are required for all guided tour visitors.

Access to the premises is only allowed with an existing guided tour reservation. Walk-ins are not permitted at present. 

“I was so happy and excited to give my first tour at the UNHQ after the lockdown,” said Tour Guide Yohei Kawamata.  

“Welcoming visitors from Germany, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Norway, and the United States of America brought back good old memories right away with such an international group of people.”  

UN visitors also can enjoy the changing UN Exhibits in the Visitors Lobby, browse the UN Bookshop to purchase a souvenir and send a post card with a UN stamp. 

The UN Bookshop also offers in-store pick-up by sending your list of purchase items to bookshop@un.org. UN staff discounts are applied to the purchase.

In-person and virtual tours, as well as online briefings, can be booked at un.org/visit.