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Office will serve as a coordinating hub across 13 countries in the Middle East
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Best Tourism Villages of the World certification announced as one of the first initiatives driven by the office
The first United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) regional office was officially opened today in Riyadh by UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili and the Saudi minister for tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb.
The new office will serve as a hub for UNWTO to coordinate policy and initiatives across thirteen countries in the Middle East, acting as a pivotal forum for engagement to drive tourism initiatives in the region and build long-term growth for the sector.
The office will lead UNWTO’s work across the region, promoting tourism products, sustainable development and the collection of tourism data and analysis.
Responding to a need for locally relevant initiatives to drive effective change, the office will champion investment in tourism assets and capabilities, and spearhead regional collaboration in data-sharing and health policy.
In his keynote address, Al Khateeb pledged continued support to the UNWTO and the development of global tourism.
“During Saudi’s Presidency of last year’s G20, we took the opportunity to host the first-ever T20 meeting. At the meeting, we committed to working with our partners around the world in developing a strong industry based on the principles of sustainability and opportunities for all. The establishment of this office is a continuation of that commitment,” Al Khateeb said.
In his address, Zurab said the launch of the UNWTO office recognized that the alignment on the regional level is key to unlocking the Middle East’s vast tourism potential and creating social, economic and environmental resiliency for the sector and its people.
“We expect that this will be recognised as a model for future efforts to make the benefits of tourism available to all,” he said.
A key initiative within the new office will be the development of an international tourism academy dedicated to supporting the ambitions of a new generation of tourism leaders. During his remarks at the launch, Al Khateeb outlined the vision for the new Academy.
“The academy in Riyadh will be a place where faculty and students can discover, create and share knowledge to achieve long-lasting impact on the global tourism and hospitality industry,” he said.
As a first step in the development of the Academy, the Ministry has signed an agreement to use the existing UNWTO Tourism Online Academy as a platform to create and disseminate training programs in Saudi Arabia.
At the ceremony, Zurab Pololikashvili also announced the launch of a new UNWTO certification to recognize the Best Tourism Villages in the World.