Latest news with #UNTourismExecutiveCouncil
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais makes history as first woman to lead UN Tourism
In a landmark moment for global tourism and women's leadership, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais has been officially nominated as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism — becoming the first woman in the organization's 50-year history to assume the top role. The nomination took place during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council held in Madrid, Spain. Shaikha Al Nowais is set to begin her mandate in January 2026, pending formal approval by the UN Tourism General Assembly. Global and regional leaders have welcomed her nomination with high praise. UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said: 'Congratulations to Sheikha Al Nowais on becoming Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. As the first woman to assume this important role, her appointment reaffirms the UAE's commitment to empowering Emirati women in leadership and reflects the vital role of the tourism sector as a driver of sustainable economic growth.' His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, 'A graduate of Zayed University, she brings with her 15 years of distinguished experience in the tourism sector and has received numerous accolades and awards. She becomes the first woman in the organization's 50-year history to hold this position and aspires to lead a global transformation in the tourism industry.' 'Our youth — both women and men — continue to represent the UAE with pride, raising its name, flag, and contributions on the global stage. We are proud of their achievements. We urge them to uphold the UAE's reputation, values, and accomplishments in all that they do.' Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, added, 'The nomination of the UAE's Shaikha Al Nowais for the position of UN Tourism Secretary-General underscores the reputation enjoyed by the UAE in the tourism field and its important and effective role in promoting the growth and sustainability of the global tourism sector.' From the private sector, Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and Founder of New Perspective Media Group, a UN Tourism-accredited member, said, 'Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais's nomination as the first woman to lead UN Tourism marks a turning point for global tourism — one driven by resilience, inclusion, and sustainability. It reflects the UAE's rising leadership in shaping the future of the industry. We at NPM Group proudly support this transformative moment.' Dr. Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, Chairman of the Pan African Business Forum (PABF), who campaigned for Al Nowais nominations, said: 'Ms. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is the most suitable candidate to fill the position of Secretary-General of the UNWTO from 2025 onwards.' Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an Emirati business leader with over 16 years of experience in global hospitality. As Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels, she has overseen owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. A graduate of Zayed University in Finance, she also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy. Shaikha Al Nowais has pledged to make her term a turning point for global tourism, aiming to prioritize environmental protection, unlock broader economic opportunities, and build a more sustainable, inclusive future for communities around the world. Her leadership comes at a time when the tourism industry is striving to recover from past disruptions and is being called upon to embrace a more resilient and equitable future.
Maroc
3 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
UN to Establish 1st Tourism Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat
A financial agreement for the establishment of the 1st UN Tourism Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat was signed on Thursday in Madrid, on the sidelines of the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council. The agreement was initialed by Morocco's Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and Secretary General of UN Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili, attended by the Kingdom's Ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich. This marks a key step towards the effective operationalization of UN Tourism's first Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat. The agreement tackles both parties' commitments, as well as the administrative arrangements granted to the Office, in accordance with article 5 of the Headquarters Agreement inked in January 2025 between the Moroccan Government and UN Tourism. This Office will work towards supporting UN Tourism's 2030 Agenda for Africa, to turn this productive sector into a vector for development on the continent, in line with the Royal Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in favor of joint African action. The Thematic Office is a major step forward for tourism promotion on the continent. Building on Morocco's leadership as an African hub for tourism and innovation, it will strengthen cooperation between African states and UN Tourism, bolstering the socio-economic transformation of African tourist destinations through innovative programs. MAP: 29 mai 2025
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Rabat to Host Africa's First UN Tourism Innovation Hub
Rabat – Morocco's Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, has signed a financial agreement regarding the establishment of the first UN Tourism Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat. The minister signed the agreement with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, on Thursday on the sidelines of the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in Madrid, Spain. The office seeks to work to support the UN Tourism 2030 Agenda for Africa, to make the sector a driver of development across the continent. Data from the UNWTO shows that arrivals across Africa recovered 96% of pre-pandemic visitors, noting that North Africa is recording a strong performance at the continental level. Arrivals in North Africa reached 8% higher between January and July 2023, compared to the pre-pandemic levels in 2019 Last year, Morocco achieved a milestone by welcoming 17.4 million international tourists, representing a 20% increase compared to 2023. This means that Morocco was the most- visited country in all of Africa, according to UN Tourism. 'Over the last five years, Morocco has averaged USD 3.5 billion in FDI annually across all sectors,' UN Tourism said, noting that $2.2 billion was allocated to the sector between 2014 and 2023. The website quoted UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona, stressing Morocco's regional leadership in the tourism sector. Morocco's tourism sector has become a key economic driver, contributing 7.3% to GDP by 2023. The tourism office forecasts that Morocco is prepared to continue its growth with a remarkable 35% increase in international arrivals since 2019 and $10.5 billion in tourism revenue. Tags: Africa Tourismatlas mountains tourism
Sharjah 24
21-03-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
UAE's Shaikha Al Nowais to run for UN Tourism SG position
The candidacy reflects the UAE's commitment to strengthening efforts to support the growth and sustainability of global tourism. It underlines the country's outstanding role in various tourism fields; its remarkable growth in the sector and resilience in the face of challenges; and its continued support for the initiatives and projects launched by UN Tourism. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said: 'The UAE continues to consolidate its outstanding position in the global tourism landscape, strengthening regional and global cooperation for sustainable and inclusive tourism development. It enjoys close and strategic relationships with UN Tourism, driving joint efforts and strategies that support innovative and pioneering tourism initiatives and projects, especially as the UAE's was re-elected to the UN Tourism Executive Council for the term 2025-2029.' He added: 'The nomination of the UAE's Shaikha Al Nowais for the position of UN Tourism Secretary-General underscores the reputation enjoyed by the UAE in tourism field and its important and effective role in promoting the growth and sustainability of the global tourism sector. Moreover, it highlights the extraordinary experience gained by the country in this field over the past years.' Shaikha Al Nowais is the first Emirati woman to run for this position. She currently holds many important managerial and academic positions that influence the tourism and hospitality industry. She has played an active and vital role in leading tourism initiatives within the UAE and internationally. If elected, Shaikha Al Nowais will become the first woman from the region to assume the leading position at UN Tourism. It will be the latest in a series of achievements accomplished by the country globally, reflecting Emirati women's leadership and strong presence in international forums. With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years, Shaikha Al Nowais's nomination reflects the widespread recognition she holds within the global tourism and hospitality industry. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sector, driving innovation, sustainability, and workforce development. As the first female board member of the Dubai Hotel Group under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, she has been instrumental in advancing industry policies and fostering public-private collaboration. In addition, her role as a member of the Global Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) MEA Chapter underscores her expertise in hospitality investment strategies and asset management. Committed to talent development and industry growth, Shaikha Al Nowais actively supports advanced training initiatives. She chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, as well as the Hospitality Advisory Committee, ensuring that the next generation of hospitality leaders is equipped with the skills to drive sustainable and competitive growth in the global tourism landscape. Over the past years, Shaikha Al Nowais has also worked closely with all stakeholders to find appropriate solutions to challenges, provide travellers with distinctive tourism experiences, and engage with investors to enhance the attractiveness of the UAE's hospitality sector to domestic and foreign investments. Speaking on her candidacy, she said: 'My nomination by the UAE to run for this position is reflective of the importance our country places on empowering Emirati women in leadership positions. It emphasises the country's efforts in promoting joint action to enhance the growth and sustainability of the sector regionally and internationally.' She further expressed her deep gratitude for this remarkable recognition. 'Tourism is a key driver promoting sustainable economic growth, contributing to job creation, supporting local businesses to grow and increase their revenues, and promoting intercultural connectivity. For instance, Rotana manages 114 hotels in 49 cities across 23 countries around the world. We strive to implement innovative visions and policies, given the sector's role as a driver of economic prosperity while prioritising sustainability and competitiveness,' Shaikha Al Nowais added. She explained: 'The tourism industry is at a crossroads, with the world facing unprecedented global challenges, notably climate change, the accelerating impact of technology and changing geopolitical dynamics. These challenges call for resilient, forward-looking leadership and diverse and collaborative solutions that can redefine the future of sustainable and responsible tourism.' 'My goal is to build on successful tourism models and expand them across regions such as Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia and Latin America to promote sustainable and inclusive growth and strengthen the global tourism ecosystem,' she said. Al Nowais's vision to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the global tourism sector is built on the following six key pillars: • Sustainable and responsible tourism growth: Reinforcing tourism's role as a transformative economic force by leveraging it to support economic development, create job opportunities across various tourism fields, expand business growth of tourism companies, connect cultures, and preserve national reserves and cultural heritage. • Digital transformation and smart tourism: Integrating advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, into emerging tourism markets, while also developing smart infrastructure to offer exceptional and unique travel experiences, globally. The efforts aim to enhance tourism destinations based on global best practices. • Economic inclusion and continuity empowerment: Creating more job opportunities and resources to enable the active participation of women, youth and diverse social groups in the tourism sector. This strategy ensures comprehensive and balanced tourism growth. • Education and capacity building: Developing the skills and expertise of professionals in the tourism sector is essential for ensuring the sector's continued growth and prosperity, particularly in light of the ongoing advancements. Strengthening collaboration with key entities to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for training programs plays a crucial role in building a brighter future for tourism. • Resilience and crisis management: Strengthening the tourism sector's ability to adapt to future global challenges, developing sustainable tourism products and fostering a culture of preserving environmental and natural resources. • Collaboration as driver of success: Tourism thrives by forging partnerships between governments, businesses and local communities. By fostering collocation, a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector can be developed both regionally and globally. Shaikha Al Nowais recognises the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation while empowering women's leadership in the tourism sector. She also remains committed to empowering young Emiratis by actively guiding these professionals and supporting initiatives that provide training and job opportunities in the hospitality sector. As women now represent approximately 20 per cent of the total workforce at Rotana, the Group prioritises inclusivity through education, training, and workplace policies that enable all employees to thrive. Regarding young women embarking on their professional journeys, Shaikha Al Nowais highlights the significance of continuous learning, curiosity, and confidence in raising questions. As an Emirati woman in a leadership role, she is proud of her contributions to shaping the future of the industry. Shaikha Al Nowais graduated from Zayed University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- Major in Finance, in 2006. Over the past five years, she has received numerous awards and brand medals, including Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards for 2021, 2022 and 2024; Best Business Hotel Chain in the Middle East at the Business Traveller UK Awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and Forbes Middle East: Top 100 Sustainable Companies in the Middle East – Sustainability Leaders 2023.
MTV Lebanon
13-02-2025
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
Tourism Ministry handover: Laura Khazen Lahoud succeeds Walid Nassar
The handover ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism took place between outgoing Minister Walid Nassar, and newly appointed Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud, in the presence of ministry officials and key figures from the legal, tourism, economic, and media sectors. Nassar welcomed Lahoud and highlighted the ministry's 1,645 tourism projects funded through grants rather than state resources. He also outlined key achievements, including Lebanon's election to the UN Tourism Committee on Competitiveness and its bid for a seat on the UN Tourism Executive Council. In turn, Lahoud expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and emphasized Lebanon's potential as a cultural and economic tourism hub. The newly appointed Minister pledged to expand year-round tourism, attract Arab and international visitors, and enhance Lebanon's global image. Lahoud finally stressed collaboration with private and public sectors to revitalize tourism and reaffirm Lebanon's position as a premier destination.
