UN Tourism News
Six Senses Joins the UNEP and UN Tourism “Recipe of Change”
Six Senses has joined Recipe of Change, a global initiative convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Tourism to unite the tourism sector in a shared commitment to halve food waste by 2030. A living expression of the brand’s sustainable ethos and Eat With Six Senses philosophy, the engagement sees Six Senses share its long-learned operational and behavioral solutions through open conversations with guests and industry peers alike to address the near one-third of all food produced globally that is never eaten*.
Riyadh Declaration Sets a Global Roadmap for Tourism’s AI-Powered Future
Riyadh has once again placed itself at the heart of the global tourism conversation. As host of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders from around the world for a defining moment in travel policy: the adoption of the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism.
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.
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais Confirmed as First Female Secretary-General of UN Tourism
The UN Tourism Executive Council has marked a historic milestone, nominating Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism, effective 1 January 2026. Her nomination, announced during the 123rd session of the Executive Council in Segovia, will be presented for confirmation at the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (7–11 November 2025).
Guiding Global Tourism Toward a Shared, Sustainable Future
Tourism is entering a new era of transformation defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili shares how global collaboration is reshaping travel, empowering communities, and driving long-term, responsible growth worldwide.
Saudi Arabia to host 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in November marking agency’s 50th year
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly from November 7 to 11. The session will take place under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future” and will mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations’ specialized agency for tourism.
Tourism Highlighted as Driver of Structural Transformation
Hosted by UN Tourism, the side event “Tourism: Driving Economic Diversification and Inclusion in LLDCs,” brought together government representatives, UN agencies, and bilateral development actors to explore how sustainable and rural tourism can diversify economies and boost social inclusion across landlocked developing nations.
UN Tourism Launches the “Safe Destinations Challenge” to Strengthen Tourism Resilience
UN Tourism has launched the Safe Destinations Challenge to identify innovative solutions that position the sector as a driver of resilience, safety, and sustainability. The initiative focuses initially on Europe, which welcomed 747 million international tourists in 2024, representing around 58% of the global figures.
UN Tourism and Slow Food partner to strengthen tourism and agriculture
UN Tourism and Slow Food will work together to promote gastronomy tourism as a tool for socio-economic development of people and communities.
Tourism Rises to the Ocean Challenge at UNOC3: A Unified Call for a Blue Transformation All Regions
At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), tourism emerged as a major actor in shaping a sustainable and resilient ocean economy. With oceans under unprecedented pressure from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, stakeholders from across the tourism sector met to launch new partnerships, align financing mechanisms, and scale up initiatives and action to regenerate marine ecosystems and support coastal communities.
Five Key Trends Shaping Latin America’s International Tourism Growth
During a panel session held during LATA Expo 2025, Mabrian shared insights on six key Latin American destinations—Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador—that represent 86% of the region’s 76.4 million international arrivals in 2024, according to UN Tourism.
WTTC Congratulates Shaikha Al Nowais on Historic Nomination as First Woman Secretary-General
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “On behalf of the World Travel & Tourism Council, our Members and the global travel community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais on her historic nomination as the first woman Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Her appointment marks a significant milestone, reflecting the evolving leadership within our sector.” “Shaikha Al Nowais’s extensive experience in hospitality and her commitment to sustainability, digital equity, and inclusive governance align seamlessly with our shared vision for a resilient and forward-thinking tourism sector. We look forward to collaborating closely with her to drive this vision.”