Ashraf AboArafe
The Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization approved the re-election of the Kingdom as President of the Council for the year 2024, during the 120th Executive Council meeting held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.
His Excellency the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization, Mr. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib, said: “The period of the first presidency of the Executive Council led by the Kingdom in 2023 was full of initiatives that combined partnership, innovation and progress, and the achievements achieved were based on the common vision, cooperation and firm commitment among all members of the organization.”
His Excellency added, “We have all paved the way to build a vision for a resilient tourism sector, and we look forward to continuing our leadership role in 2024, and we recall the aspirations and hopes of all member states, and we will strive to implement the goals in a way that ensures that the tourism sector continues to achieve economic exchange and cultural and humanitarian rapprochement between countries.” the world.
He noted the unlimited support that tourism enjoys from the leadership in the Kingdom, adding that this support is not limited to the interior only, as this included the provision of important international initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, including the establishment of the World Center for Sustainable Tourism, which was announced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the Green Saudi Initiative in October 2021, and the center will provide best practices to meet the needs of the entire sector, including major multinational companies that have clear goals and distinct experiences, in addition to micro, small and medium enterprises that constitute 80% of the sector, as he announced The Center recently announced the launch of an international research center to be a high-level reference body for research aimed at accelerating the travel and tourism sector’s transition to climate neutrality.
His Excellency the Minister of Tourism explained that in confirmation of the Kingdom’s vision and commitment to shaping the future of global travel, during its presidency of the Council in 2023, the Kingdom achieved a pioneering role in the tourism sector and exceptional achievements, based on a clear plan that was carefully implemented. This vision gave priority to global cooperation and formed the basis for pioneering initiatives. Which aims to reimagine the tourism sector.
In continuation of the Kingdom’s active role in the global tourism sector, the Kingdom will host the activities of the twenty-sixth session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 2025 as part of an exceptional and historic event that is the first of its kind in the Middle East region. This hosting embodies the Kingdom’s position in the global tourism scene and its efforts to promote sustainable tourism. and comprehensive global development.
The Kingdom has played a pioneering role in the Redesigning Tourism for the Future Task Force initiative in cooperation with Spain. This initiative seeks to enable the World Tourism Organization to better meet the needs of the vital tourism sector, focusing on its important role in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in all countries. around the world, while the Kingdom continues to raise standards in the tourism sector and enhance global cooperation, with the aim of shaping a more influential future for this sector in the coming years.
