Saudi Tourism Minister Chairs 121st UNWTO Executive Council

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, chaired the 121st Executive Council meeting in Barcelona, Spain, on June 10-11, 2024. The high-level gathering brought together tourism ministers from around the world to address pressing challenges and drive progress in the global tourism sector.

Context and Background

The 121st UNWTO Executive Council meeting convened in Barcelona, Spain, marking a significant moment for international tourism governance. Saudi Arabia’s re-election to chair the Executive Council for the second consecutive year in 2024 underscores the Kingdom’s pivotal and growing role in shaping a resilient and thriving global tourism sector.

Minister Al-Khateeb’s leadership of the session highlights Saudi Arabia’s influential position in global tourism, following a series of notable successes in the sector. The meeting served as a platform for world leaders to collaborate on innovative models to sustain tourism, create investment opportunities, and foster strategic partnerships.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

In his opening remarks, Minister Al-Khateeb stated, “Presiding over the 121st Executive Council meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization was a historic moment for us, as it united world leaders to confront pressing challenges in tourism and to drive tangible progress in all aspects of the global tourism sector. This gathering confirmed our collective vision of the continued prosperity of the international tourism sector, stressing the need for innovative models to sustain the sector, create investment opportunities, and continue strategic partnerships.”

The discussions focused on analyzing international tourism trends, implementing the general work program and regulatory reforms, and exploring financial growth strategies for the international tourism sector. A key emphasis was placed on investing in human resource development to maintain global competitiveness. With global travel destinations on the rise, the tourism sector is expected to contribute up to $16 trillion to the global GDP by 2034.

Bilateral Engagement and Investment Opportunities

On the sidelines of the event, Minister Al-Khateeb hosted a roundtable meeting with senior executives from the private tourism sector in Spain. He showcased the attractive investment opportunities in the Kingdom under the Investment Enablers Program in the tourism sector and the Investment Enablers Initiative in the hospitality sector. He also highlighted the diversity of tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s plans to enhance air connectivity between Spain and Saudi Arabia, as well as Europe.

Participants in the roundtable included senior executives from leading global, European, and Spanish hotel chains, as well as operators of several tourism facilities in the Kingdom, alongside organizations looking to expand their presence in Saudi Arabia. The discussions coincided with an increase in the number of Spanish visitors to Saudi Arabia in 2023, with the Kingdom receiving over 40,000 Spanish tourists, marking a 6% increase from 2022.

Implications and Impact

The growth in Spanish tourism to Saudi Arabia is attributed to the Kingdom’s launch of the visit e-visa, as part of its efforts to provide opportunities for tourists and visitors from 66 countries to explore the Kingdom’s vast tourism destinations and potential. These steps are part of Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to increase the number of inbound tourists to 70 million by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership of the UNWTO Executive Council reinforces its commitment to international cooperation and sustainable tourism development. The Kingdom’s active participation in global tourism governance aligns with its broader strategy to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil, as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s chairmanship of the UNWTO Executive Council and its efforts to boost inbound tourism directly support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom’s global engagement. By fostering international partnerships and investing in tourism infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leading global tourism destination and a key player in shaping the future of the sector.

20 Questions

Q1. Who chaired the 121st UNWTO Executive Council meeting?

A1. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, chaired the 121st UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Barcelona, Spain, on June 10-11, 2024.

Q2. Where was the 121st UNWTO Executive Council meeting held?

A2. The meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain, on June 10 and 11, 2024, bringing together tourism ministers from around the world.

Q3. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia chairing the UNWTO Executive Council?

A3. It underscores Saudi Arabia’s leading role and influence in the global tourism sector, following significant successes in recent times.

Q4. What did Minister Al-Khateeb say about chairing the meeting?

A4. He described it as a historic moment that united world leaders to confront pressing challenges in tourism and drive tangible progress in the global tourism sector.

Q5. What were the main topics discussed at the meeting?

A5. Discussions focused on analyzing international tourism trends, implementing the general work program and regulatory reforms, financial growth strategies, and investing in human resource development.

Q6. What is the projected contribution of tourism to global GDP by 2034?

A6. The tourism sector is expected to contribute up to $16 trillion to the global GDP by 2034.

Q7. What roundtable did Minister Al-Khateeb host on the sidelines?

A7. He hosted a roundtable with senior executives from the private tourism sector in Spain to showcase investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Q8. What investment programs did Minister Al-Khateeb highlight?

A8. He highlighted the Investment Enablers Program in the tourism sector and the Investment Enablers Initiative in the hospitality sector.

Q9. What plans did he mention for air connectivity?

A9. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s plans to enhance air connectivity between Spain and Saudi Arabia, as well as Europe.

Q10. Who participated in the roundtable meeting?

A10. Senior executives from leading global, European, and Spanish hotel chains, operators of tourism facilities in the Kingdom, and organizations looking to expand in Saudi Arabia.

Q11. How many Spanish tourists visited Saudi Arabia in 2023?

A11. Over 40,000 Spanish tourists visited Saudi Arabia in 2023, marking a 6% increase from 2022.

Q12. What contributed to the increase in Spanish visitors?

A12. The increase is attributed to the Kingdom’s launch of the visit e-visa, which allows tourists from 66 countries to explore Saudi Arabia.

Q13. What is Saudi Arabia’s target for inbound tourists by 2030?

A13. Saudi Arabia aims to increase the number of inbound tourists to 70 million by 2030.

Q14. How does this meeting align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A14. It supports Vision 2030 by promoting international partnerships, diversifying the economy, and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global engagement in tourism.

Q15. What is the UNWTO?

A15. The United Nations World Tourism Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

Q16. How many countries can benefit from Saudi Arabia’s visit e-visa?

A16. Tourists from 66 countries can benefit from the visit e-visa to explore Saudi Arabia’s tourism destinations.

Q17. What is the expected global tourism trend mentioned?

A17. Global travel destinations are on the rise, and the tourism sector is expected to contribute significantly to global GDP by 2034.

Q18. What does Saudi Arabia’s re-election to chair the Executive Council indicate?

A18. It indicates the Kingdom’s pivotal and growing role in creating a resilient and thriving global tourism sector.

Q19. What are the Investment Enablers Programs?

A19. They are initiatives by Saudi Arabia to attract investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, showcasing attractive opportunities for global investors.

Q20. What is the overall impact of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in UNWTO?

A20. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, sustainable tourism development, and positioning the Kingdom as a leading global tourism destination.

---