Saudi Arabia Participates in World Travel Market to Showcase its Unique Destinations

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
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Saudi Arabia Participates in World Travel Market to Showcase its Unique Destinations

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour

Saudi Arabia, the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination, is taking part, once again, in the World Travel Market (WTM), held in London from November 6 to 9, to promote tourism.
More than 75 representatives of the most important tourist destinations, such as AlUla, Diriyah, Al Soudah, historic Jeddah, of ministries and agencies, of the most important international hotel chains, airlines, travel and tourism companies, and tour operators, in addition to a number of “Nusuk” platform partners, take part in the event; the number marks a 48% increase over the previous participation, according to SPA.
The Kingdom will be present in an interactive pavilion that projects the Saudi hospitality and culture, highlights unique destinations and inspiring experiences and reflects its natural and climatic diversity.
Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib said: “With pride, Saudi tourism is enhancing its remarkable and distinguished presence at WTM in London, through more than 75 partners of the Saudi tourism sector, to contribute to highlighting destinations, offers and events, and reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership position in the field of sustainable tourism.”
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s participation in important global forums is expanding year after year, which confirms our firm commitment to advancing the growth and prosperity of the global tourism sector, and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, by highlighting the enormous investment opportunities and inviting the whole world to explore inspiring tourism experiences, which only exist in Saudi Arabia", Al-Khatib added.
For his part, Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said: “Our participation this year in the WTM comes to confirm to our partners our commitment to providing everything new and of quality, and today we bring the largest number of destinations, products and service providers, in order to attract larger numbers and segments of international travelers.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has held the presidency of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 2022; it was re-elected to the position in October 2023. It also hosts the World Tourism Organization's first regional office in the Middle East.



Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)

A specialized United Nations agency granted on Monday provisional enhanced protection to 34 cultural properties in Lebanon, including the World Heritage sites of Baalbek and Tyre, following recent Israeli strikes near them.

“Non-compliance with these clauses would constitute serious violations of the 1954 Hague Convention and would constitute potential grounds for prosecution,” the UN cultural and scientific agency UNESCO said in a statement. The decision also includes financial and technical assistance to safeguard Lebanon’s heritage.

The decision was made during an extraordinary session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property that was held in Paris on Monday, at the request of Lebanese authorities.

This move comes amid mounting threats to Lebanon’s cultural sites. On Nov. 7, an Israeli airstrike destroyed an Ottoman-era building near the UNESCO-listed Roman temples of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said: “UNESCO has a deep and long-standing cooperation with Lebanon. We will spare no effort to provide all the expertise and assistance needed to protect its exceptional heritage.”

In addition to legal protections, UNESCO said it has been implementing measures such as satellite monitoring, risk management training and emergency relocation of movable artifacts.