UN Tourism General Assembly News
UN Tourism General Assembly 2025 Wrap-Up: Riyadh Charts a Bold AI-Powered Future for Global Tourism
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.
Half a Century Closes, a New Chapter for Tourism Begins, with Saudi Arabia at its heart
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.
Driving Innovation in Travel, The UN World Tourism Organization’s Artificial Intelligence Challenge
In a landmark move spotlighting the intersection of travel, technology, and sustainable growth, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has unveiled its Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge, poised to reshape the future of tourism through deep-tech innovation. Launched in late 2024, the challenge seeks to bring start-ups and scale-ups into the heart of tourism transformation, offering AI-driven solutions that span everything from destination branding to operational efficiency and education.
Charting a Path for AI-Powered Tourism: Innovation Takes Center Stage at UNTGA Riyadh 2025
Tourism is entering a new era—one defined not only by destinations but by data, intelligence, and human connection enhanced through technology. This transformation takes the global spotlight in Riyadh, as the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly (UNTGA 2025) convenes under the forward-looking theme, “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.”
Exclusive Livestream of Media Roundtable With HH Princess Sara and Mr. AlHamdan, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
In a pivotal discussion, H.H. Princess Sara bint Salman Al‑Saudi Al‑Saud and Mr. AlHamdan outlined how Saudi Arabia is stepping into the global tourism spotlight by hosting the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh (7-11 November 2025) — coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UN tourism body. They emphasised Saudi’s intent to leverage this milestone to showcase its transformation under Vision 2030, and to set a new course for the industry under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.” The roundtable highlighted three core areas of focus: deepening international collaboration across 160+ member states; embedding artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation into the travel ecosystem; and using the event as a platform to accelerate Saudi’s role as a global tourism hub and model of responsible growth.