The very first winners of the TOURISE Awards have been announced, recognizing the destinations redefining exploration, hospitality, and cultural connection for the modern traveler, setting new benchmarks for innovation and excellence to deliver truly unforgettable visitor experiences.

Riyadh has concluded the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly — the largest and most transformative gathering in the organization’s 50-year history — setting a bold global agenda for the future of tourism powered by artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainability. The assembly, held from 7–11 November 2025, brought together delegates from 148 Member States, including 90 Ministers of Tourism and 70 Ambassadors. Hosted at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, it marked the first time the event was staged in the Gulf region and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s leadership in shaping the global tourism dialogue.

Riyadh, now more a symbol of transformation than tradition, is right now playing host to one of the most significant gatherings in global tourism history. The 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, taking place from 7 to 11 November 2025, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the organisation and the first time the event has been held in the Gulf. As delegates entered the third day of discussions this morning, the sense of momentum was unmistakable.

The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure.

The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure. The government’s aim is to diversify the tourism sector and attract next-generation projects that complement the traditional resort model. Sustainable Townships are expected to generate long-term opportunities in premium real estate tourism, wellness and medical services, and education-focused travel. By integrating residential, commercial, and public service components, these projects broaden revenue streams, create employment across multiple sectors, and establish the Maldives as a destination for long-stay visitors and high-value investors.

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) and Tourism Economics have released the inaugural Global Destination Resilience Index 2025—a landmark study designed to measure how well destinations are prepared to balance growth with sustainability in an era of rapid global travel expansion.