Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – November 2025 – More than 100 Affiliate Members of UN Tourism convened in Riyadh for the 45th Affiliate Members Plenary Session, held as part of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly (#UNTourismGA). The gathering brought together around 200 delegates representing a diverse range of affiliated entities to review achievements from 2023–2025, strengthen collaboration, and define strategic priorities for 2026–2027, reaffirming the vital role of the private sector in shaping the future of global tourism. 🌍

The plenary session, the statutory cornerstone for UN Tourism’s Affiliate Members, offered a platform to analyze the expansion strategy, promote quality-oriented and geographically balanced membership, and share proposals for future projects. Over 50 initiatives were submitted by Affiliate Members, with selected entities presenting their projects for implementation with the support of the Affiliate Members and Public-Private Collaboration Department (AM-PPC) in the upcoming biennium.

Spotlight on Sports Tourism and Innovation

A major highlight of the session was the launch of the first UN Tourism Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism, powered by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). This initiative recognizes projects that successfully integrate sustainability, innovation, and community impact in sports tourism, emphasizing the sector’s growing importance as a driver of global tourism innovation.

New Mechanisms for Collaboration

The session also introduced “Affiliate Members-Driven Services for UN Tourism,” a new framework enabling affiliated entities to offer tailored services to Member States and stakeholders, leveraging their specialized expertise and global networks. This mechanism strengthens the participation of Affiliate Members in UN Tourism’s agenda and ensures a practical platform for the implementation of strategic initiatives worldwide.

Enhanced Role in the World Tourism Barometer

Affiliate Members will also play a key role in the World Tourism Barometer, published four times annually, contributing insights drawn from direct industry experience. Selected experts from the Affiliate Members network now form part of the Barometer’s Panel of Experts, ensuring that the report reflects the latest trends and developments in international tourism.

Recognizing Excellence

UN Tourism honored outstanding contributions from Affiliate Members across eight categories, including regional promotion of membership, sports tourism development, innovative knowledge and product development, public-private collaboration, and significant contributions to the UN Tourism Programme of Work. These awards underscore the critical role that Affiliate Members play in advancing sustainable, innovative, and impactful tourism worldwide.

Looking Ahead: Programme of Work 2026–2027

The Programme of Work for 2026–2027, presented by the AM-PPC and selected Affiliate Members, outlines strategic initiatives for the next biennium, offering a clear roadmap for collaborative action. With new mechanisms, awards, and strengthened governance, Affiliate Members are poised to drive innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration, contributing meaningfully to the development of international tourism.

As UN Tourism prepares to celebrate 50 years of progress, the session in Riyadh highlighted the remarkable growth of the sector—from 222 million international arrivals in 1975 to an estimated 1.5 billion in 2025, generating revenues of $2.2 trillion, and a projection of 2 billion arrivals by 2030. The milestone underscores the shared responsibility of governments, private entities, and stakeholders to shape a sustainable and resilient future for global tourism.

This plenary session reaffirmed the pivotal role of Affiliate Members in UN Tourism, showcasing the impact of collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships in driving the global tourism agenda into the next decade.