Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 26th UN Tourism General Assembly concluded in Riyadh with a forward-looking vision for the global tourism sector, centered on innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation. The event brought together more than 150 delegations, including 90 ministers, 70 ambassadors, and over 120 private sector representatives, marking one of the most significant gatherings in the organization’s history.

During the closing press conference, Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, highlighted the milestone occasion coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the organization, emphasizing its ongoing mission to connect nations and drive economic and cultural progress.

“Today we celebrate five decades of connecting nations, creating jobs, protecting heritage, and building bridges of understanding. It is time to honor our achievements and set a clear vision for the future—with tourism as a driver of peace, prosperity, and innovation,” said Bayona.

Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and President of the Assembly, underscored the Kingdom’s leadership in tourism growth and the challenges facing major cities as global travel continues to expand.

“Tourism is not a problem—it’s an opportunity. It brings jobs and development, but cities must be planned for both residents and visitors. Saudi Arabia welcomed 116 million tourists last year, and our goal is to reach 150 million by 2030,” he noted.

Outgoing Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili reflected on the progress achieved during his tenure and the growing role of technology in shaping the future of the industry.

“Artificial intelligence and new technologies will define the next chapter of sustainable tourism. The opening of a new regional office in China is a clear sign of our commitment to global diversification and growth,” he said.

Incoming Secretary-General Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, who will officially assume her role in 2026 as the first woman to lead UN Tourism, stressed the importance of inclusion and digital transformation.

“Technology and innovation will help us manage visitor flows and empower emerging destinations. We must focus on creating equitable opportunities for communities and ensuring tourism continues to serve as a force for good,” she affirmed.

The Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism

During the Assembly, UN Tourism unveiled the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, a landmark document setting out a shared vision and 11 key pledges to guide the sector through the next decade.

The declaration recognizes that the global tourism sector “is at a turning point in how people travel, how destinations evolve, and how communities thrive.” It emphasizes that rapid technological advancements — including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies — are reshaping the global tourism landscape.

Among its main commitments, member states agreed to “act immediately to advance and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable tourism sector that balances environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social well-being.”

Countries are also encouraged to “advance and promote the responsible adoption of digital transformation and innovation in the tourism sector by incentivizing investment in digital infrastructure,” while considering varying levels of development.

Other pledges focus on strengthening resilience through risk assessment, adaptive infrastructure investment, and rapid response and recovery mechanisms. The declaration also calls on member states to address workforce shortages and skills gaps by promoting education, training, and the sharing of knowledge.

Cultural preservation is another central pillar, urging nations to “promote culturally respectful and socially inclusive tourism” that safeguards local heritage and community identity.

The declaration identifies key challenges for the coming years — including sustainability pressures, accessibility gaps, uneven visitor flows, and infrastructure limitations — while highlighting public safety and equitable distribution of tourism benefits as global priorities.

At the press conference announcing the declaration, Natalia Bayona reaffirmed that the Assembly’s purpose was “to set a clear vision for the future, with tourism as a driver of peace, prosperity, innovation and sustainability for all.”

Beyond outlining the pledges, the declaration instructs UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais to develop a strategic roadmap on the future of tourism, to be presented to the Executive Council within one year.

As the Assembly closed, it was confirmed that the next UN Tourism General Assembly will be hosted by the Dominican Republic in 2027, reaffirming the organization’s global and inclusive approach to tourism development.