Saudi Arabia underscored its central role as a leader in the global tourism sector by hosting the twenty sixth session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, the largest in the organization’s history, with more than 100 ministers from around the world attending.
During the gathering, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb stressed that the core of progress lies in “partnership” between institutions, the private sector and civil society.
The assembly opened in Riyadh on Friday, marking the first time the event has been held in the Gulf region. This year’s meeting convenes under the theme “AI powered tourism, redefining the future.”
The session, which runs until November 11, is expected to help chart the global tourism agenda for the next 50 years.
The UN Tourism General Assembly, now in its twenty sixth session, is the organization’s main meeting, setting the strategic direction for the global tourism sector, approving its work and budget, and addressing key industry issues.
By hosting the event, the Kingdom is leading an international dialogue that opens new horizons for a more sustainable and inclusive future for tourism.
This year’s agenda examines AI powered tourism, strategic decisions on sector policies and governance, and the election of the next secretary general of UN Tourism.
As Saudi Arabia leads this global conversation on the industry’s future, Al-Khateeb said in his opening remarks that “partnerships are the basis of progress, the public sector sets the vision, and investors and innovators in the private sector turn it into reality. Civil society organizations ensure that inclusion and social responsibility remain at the heart of tourism.”
He welcomed all partners and said closer cooperation and stronger synergies are needed to reinforce tourism as a driver of growth, sustainability and inclusiveness.
He added that tourism relies fundamentally on human interaction and direct communication to convey the culture and history of nations, noting that Saudi Arabia is keen to ensure that “our sons and daughters are at the forefront, welcoming visitors and guiding them, since human interaction is what creates the true tourism experience”
Al-Khateeb told Asharq Al Awsat that technology plays a decisive role in developing the sector, but he cautioned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence at the expense of “the human connection that is at the core of the tourism experience.”
He said “tourism fundamentally depends on people who convey the culture and history of their country, human interaction is what creates the true tourism experience.”
He cited an AI powered virtual assistant launched by the ministry within the General Assembly application, explaining that it provides easier procedures and accurate information on accommodation and activities, without becoming “a full substitute for the human element.”
Princess Sarah bint Abdulaziz, general supervisor of the International Affairs Agency at the Ministry of Tourism, told the Saudi Press Agency that the unprecedented turnout reflects the Kingdom’s pivotal standing in the global tourism sector.
Discussions in the General Assembly focus on technology and innovation, and Saudi Arabia is steering the conversation with an ambitious initiative, the “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism,” which is expected to be discussed during the one hundred twenty fourth Executive Council meeting on Saturday.
The document, backed by the council and expected to be adopted, outlines a global framework to harness artificial intelligence in the sector.
Saudi Arabia has called for three main outcomes from the session, included in the draft declaration:
A global framework for measuring artificial intelligence, designed to develop a unified approach to assessing readiness and adoption across the tourism ecosystem.
Guidelines for AI applications, offering practical recommendations for policymakers and businesses on risk management.
A ministerial declaration, outlining shared principles for ethical, inclusive and responsible adoption of technology in the sector.
The draft declaration, circulated to member states, commits ministers to ten core principles, most notably immediate sustainability, responsible digital transformation, stronger resilience and digital security, and ensuring fair distribution of benefits among local communities.
Adoption of the “Riyadh Declaration” is expected to form the basis of UN Tourism’s work in the coming years as it integrates technology and sustainability into the global travel industry.
