Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb revealed that the Kingdom is investing US$800 billion in the sector over the next ten years.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the Arab-China Businessmen Conference on Sunday, Al-Khateeb said that travel and tourism counts for 4.5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, marking an increase from three percent in 2019.
Saudi Arabia spends US$110 billion to become world leader in luxury hotelsKingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently developing or planning more than US$1 trillion worth of real estate and infrastructure projects, which includes 315,000 hotel rooms. US$110 billion of that figure is solely for hotels, most of which are luxury properties.
These ambitious initiatives align with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy. Over the next four to five years, the number of hotel rooms is projected to nearly double to approximately 200,000. By 2028, at least 50 percent of the proposed supply is expected to be operational, as some existing properties make way for newer, more competitive, and appealing hotels and resorts.
Leading real estate consultancy Knight Frank, asserts that KSA is poised to showcase its vision of an ultra-modern future to a global audience. The country’s real estate landscape will undergo a transformative shift, redefining tourism, living, and lifestyle. A diverse array of giga and mega projects will play a significant role in achieving this goal.ADVERTISEMENTKnight Frank’s research on KSA hotels, excluding the giga projects, reveals that there are currently 129,000 hotel and serviced apartment rooms in the country. By 2030, this figure is expected to increase by more than 60 percent to reach 212,000 rooms in various sectors, including 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, and below, as well as serviced apartments.
The development cost for 4-star properties alone amounts to almost half of the total investment of $21.3 billion. Furthermore, the Kingdom’s giga projects contribute to nearly 73 percent of the hotel supply pipeline, resulting in a 62 percent surge in the number of 4- and 5-star hotel rooms by the end of the decade.
Saudi Tourism Authority says “tourism is the new oil” as 100 million visitor target is raisedSaudi Arabia will increase the 100 million visitor target it set as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 programme.
The number was first set in 2016 when the Vision was first announced, however, in 2022, the Kingdom welcomed 77 million domestic travellers and 16.5 million international, adding up to 93.5 million.
Dubai, the region’s longstanding tourism leader, has 14.5 million international visitors in 2022.
As the 100 million mark was almost reached eight years ahead of schedule, Saudi Tourism Authority’s (STA) CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said the goal post will move.
Source: Hotelier Middle East

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Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), collaborates with German National Tourist Office for an exciting summer campaign focusing on the three pillars: sustainability, nature, and culture.Over 1 million searches were recorded this year on Wego’s platform to Germany. Through this partnership, we aim to drive more travelers and increase the numbers of searches and bookings to the country.
Wego and German National Tourist Office will leverage their complementary resources, marketing channels, and customer bases to create an impactful campaign which will run across all marketing channels and social media. By joining forces, the two parties seek to enhance brand visibility and expand market reach.
Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego said: “We are proud to sign another exciting partnership with German National Tourist Office, a true pioneer in sustainable travel and cultural exploration. Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase the vibrant landscapes, rich heritage, and unparalleled experiences that Germany has to offer inspiring travelers to embark on unforgettable journeys. This partnership is in line with our collective mission to create memorable experiences and foster sustainable travel.”
Germany promotes sustainable tourism practices. From eco-lodges and green hotels to eco-tours and responsible travel initiatives, sustainable tourism options are readily available. This approach ensures that all types of travelers can experience Germany’s rich cultural heritage and nature while supporting local communities and protecting the environment.
The diverse culture provides the travelers with the chance to indulge with distinct traditions, festivals, and cuisine that vary across its vibrant cities and picturesque landscape. In addition, Germany boasts an impressive collection of 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing its rich history, architectural marvels, and stunning natural landscapes.ADVERTISEMENTNature plays a significant role in German culture, as evident in the country’s numerous outdoor activities and appreciation for green spaces. Travelers get to enjoy hiking, cycling, and nature exploration. This love for nature is reflected in the careful preservation of forests, parks, and gardens throughout the country.
Yamina Sofo, Director at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO GCC), said:
“For the fourth consecutive year, Wego and the German National Tourist Office continue their successful partnership to promote Germany as an essential destination. With visitors making more than a million searches for Germany on Wego’s platform, we are thrilled to highlight the country’s sustainable tourism, mesmerising nature, and cultural treasures. Our goal is to inspire travellers to discover Germany’s lively cities, embrace its unique traditions, and immerse themselves in breathtaking landscapes. This partnership underscores the German National Tourist Office’s dedication to creating unforgettable experiences and advancing sustainable travel.”
As part of this campaign, Wego will be also promoting Bicester Collection which offers unrivalled blend of designers in every village from heritage fashion houses and exciting new designers to international homeware brands.

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Today, Tourism Cares, a leading non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainable tourism, celebrates 20 years of uniting the travel industry to create positive social and environmental impact in communities around the globe. In 2003, the organization hosted a volunteer clean-up event on New York City’s Ellis Island, which ultimately set the foundation for what Tourism Cares is today – a mission-driven global non- profit focused on empowering travel and tourism companies in their sustainability journeys by providing resources, education and programming.
As part of Tourism Cares’ 20-year milestone, the organization is excited to announce the unveiling of its new Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map, marking a significant step in transforming the industry into a collective entity focused on using travel as a force for good. The newly relaunched Meaningful Travel Map is a B2B tool that helps the travel trade and sustainably minded visitors easily source authentic, community-led experiences, products, services, accommodations and tours that can be added to itineraries, creating a competitive advantage to the growing consumer demand for responsible travel and providing direct impact on the people and places of travel. The platform is hosted by Tourism Cares’ partner Wander, which empowers destinations with technology to deliver exceptional map experiences.
“At Tourism Cares, we consider ourselves a pioneer in the meaningful travel movement – driving the industry to conduct business in a way that directly benefits host communities,

protects cultural and environmental assets, and engages guests in a deeper, more responsible way,” shared Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares. “Through our innovative programs, such as our Meaningful Travel Summits and the development of our Meaningful Travel Map, we have been able to generate significant impact for local communities and social enterprises around the world. We are excited for this next phase of programming with our expanded map and its ability to diversify the travel supply chain to incorporate more impactful, locally led tourism experiences that will benefit destinations and the people that call those places home.”As part of Tourism Cares’ strategic vision to protect the long-term survival of the travel industry, the organization has reconfigured its Meaningful Travel Map program to provide a single, one-stop global source of vetted impact partners. This interactive, user-friendly online platform provides industry professionals with a turn-key resource for discovering and contracting with impact-driven businesses, organizations and social enterprises, and contains enhanced features, such as category filtration, curated sustainability information, group booking offerings and embed capabilities.
“We developed this tool as a way to easily provide operators, advisors and other trade professionals with a one-stop global resource for sustainable product development while widening the impact of tourism to include businesses and non-profits that are not often marketed or packaged to the travel trade,” said John Sutherland, director of community impact at Tourism Cares. “While there are several consumer-oriented resources for sustainable travel experiences already out in market, this is the first B2B platform of its kind that not only includes vetted products, but also serves as a destination development tool that can help scale social enterprises and other community-led organizations to benefit from tourism dollars.”
“Our travelers today are looking for inspirational experiences that provide a positive impact in the communities they visit,” explained Allison Villasenor, managing director, travel product, partnerships and innovation at AAA Northeast. “Through the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map, we now have a single source to find vetted sustainable businesses for our clients. We are thrilled to have this tool and know that we can deliver authentic products for travelers.”
Currently, the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map contains more than 150 vetted sustainable experiences placed throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Jordan. Tourism Cares partner destinations that have committed to participate include, Destination Greater Victoria, Explore Asheville, Jordan Tourism Board, NYC Tourism + Conventions, Panama Tourism Authority, ProColombia, Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Willamette Valley Visitors Association. The map is free to use for any industry professional and can be easily accessed via the Tourism Cares website at tourismcares.org/meaningful-map. Destinations that participate in the Meaningful Travel Map will also benefit from Tourism Cares’ membership program, which provides one-on-one consulting opportunities, professional development resources, access to educational programs and networking opportunities with more than 160 like-minded businesses in the travel trade.

Malia Asfour, Chair of the Tourism Cares Board and Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America, expressed her enthusiasm for the re-launch, stating, “The Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map represents a pivotal tool in our efforts to create a more sustainable travel industry. We have already seen significant success in countries like Jordan and Colombia and look forward to creating more impact in other destinations around the globe. We invite everyone to explore the renewed Meaningful Travel Map and join us on this transformative journey.”
Since its inception in 2003, Tourism Cares has been at the forefront of fostering sustainable tourism practices and empowering communities worldwide. As the organization looks ahead into the next two decades, it is imperative that the travel industry works together to protect its most critical assets – the people and places that we depend on.
For more information on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map, including how to participate as a destination, visit: tourismcares.org/meaningful-map.

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Yesterday SeaWorld Orlando opened its first and all new Coral Rescue Center to park guests following a VIP ribbon cutting ceremony with esteemed members from Florida’s conservation and rescue communities and local, state, and national lawmakers. It is one of the largest public-facing facilities dedicated to coral conservation in the country. The state-of-the-art rescue facility provides the public with a unique opportunity to observe and interact with coral biologists as they carry out daily husbandry for “at risk” Florida corals. The center provides an important way to view living corals up close, learn more about conservation, and understand the steps everyone can take to make a difference in ocean health. Park guests to the new center marveled today at the hundreds of living coral colonies and 15 different species – many of which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The center is part of SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to coral conservation as the private and public sector come together to help save the Florida coral reef. The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is the partner of the coral rescue center initiative.
The center’s corals were selected and transferred from the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) to the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center for world-class care with the goal of being returned to the Florida reef as part of state and national restoration efforts. The reef is suffering from the devastating effects of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) – a highly lethal disease with a mortality rate of up to 100 percent.
“The new SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center represents another significant commitment to protect and conserve coral reefs and the Center enables the public to get a close up look at our work as we provide exceptional care in a safe haven for vulnerable corals as the conservation community works together to restore our vital coral reef system,” said Jim Kinsler, Zoological Curator at SeaWorld Orlando and Manager of the Florida Coral Rescue Center in Orlando. “By raising awareness about the importance of corals and their role in the environment, we hope to ignite a passion for conservation in our visitors, empowering them to become ambassadors for the protection and preservation of Florida’s corals.”
SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center Serves as a Vital Hub for Coral Preservation and Education
Building on the success of the FCRC, the Coral Rescue Center at SeaWorld Orlando serves as an additional holding facility for these vulnerable corals. The Center is a 3,750 gallon fully functional, guest-facing coral facility housing 350 coral colonies and 15 species of at-risk coral, several of which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Moreover, it will act as a crucial platform to educate and engage guests about the significance of coral reefs to sustaining healthy oceans.ADVERTISEMENTExperienced coral biologists at the Center provide the rescued corals with expert care. This involves meticulous attention to water chemistry, flow, filtration, and lighting to ensure the corals thrive. The Center also aims to preserve a natural environment by introducing reef cleaners such as fish, snails, crabs, and sea urchins. These helpful creatures play a crucial role in cleaning algae from the corals and their surroundings, allowing for continued coral growth. To supplement their nutrient requirements, the SeaWorld biologists provide the corals with supplemental nutrients that they process for energy. Through these comprehensive care practices, the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center contributes to the long-term conservation of corals.
SeaWorld has a longstanding relationship with the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center is an extension of the partnership on the FCRC, providing funds towards the coral housing units that allow SeaWorld to house and care for the rescued corals. “Corals are the rainforests of the ocean,” said Andrew Walker, Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida President & CEO. “In addition to providing a home for a quarter of all marine life, corals buffer our coastline from damaging storms and fuel our state’s economy. We’re grateful to SeaWorld for providing a space for these rescued corals to thrive and for the public to learn more about our partnership to restore Florida’s Coral Reef.”
Bringing Together the Public and Private Sector to Save the Reef
Critical to the recovery of the coral reef system is the partnership between the private conservation community and public sector lawmakers. Legislation aimed at safeguarding coral reefs along Florida’s coast, such as the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act and the Coral Reef Conservation Program, are instrumental in enacting protective measures and providing critical funding for restoration projects.
“The Florida coral reef is in trouble which poses both an ecological and economic threat to the state of Florida and the country. It’s the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental United States and vital to maintaining healthy oceans. It also supports over 71,000 jobs and generates over $6.3 billion in tourism revenue every year,” said Congressman Soto. “I am proud to have worked across the aisle to pass the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. Alongside our legislative efforts, partnering with world-class conservation and animal care organizations like SeaWorld will allow us to make a real difference in preserving our reefs for future generations.”
SeaWorld’s commitment to the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Program began in 2019 with the establishment of the FCRC. Selected due to its decades of extensive knowledge and expertise in coral, SeaWorld is one of 22 AZA-partners that has been chosen to facilitate and safekeep coral. In addition to maintaining rescued, healthy coral at the new SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center, SeaWorld is involved at the FCRC – the largest coral nursery in the country – providing world-class care for at-risk corals with the eventual goal of repopulating Florida’s Coral Reef.
For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news from SeaWorld.

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The museums in Quito have a lot to offer, combining learning with fun activities. For example, at the Interactive Science Museum (MIC), located in the traditional Chimbacalle neighbourhood, kids can learn about everything from the life of insects to the laws of physics. There’s also Yaku Park Water Museum in the El Placer neighbourhood, where exhibitions and educational programmes create a space to reflect on the relationship between human beings and water. Other museums with activities for the smallest members of the family are the Alberto Mena Caamaño wax museum, the City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) or the Intiñán Museum.
Wildlife is always an attraction for children, therefore, the Guayllabamba Zoo, a shelter for wild animals and rescue centre for diverse non-domesticated species; or the Vivarium, the home of around 350 amphibians and reptiles, are ideal for learning about the importance of these living beings and the commitment we have in order to look after their habitat.

Experiences such as Quito Tour Bus route; the traditional games of La Ronda; chocolate making in museums, workshops and cocoa galleries; energy experiments in Mitad del Mundo; climbing to the heights in the TelefériQo cable car; or travelling through space at the Mundo Juvenil and Ciudad Mitad del Mundo planetariums, are ideal for letting your imagination run wild.The open spaces are also a good option when planning an outing with children. For example, Cerro La Luz in Puéllaro, the camping areas in Pululahua or Ilaló, visits to Antisana or Chocó Andino. The Piragua waterfall in Nanegal is another option, or the chain of metropolitan parks, together with a wide variety of estates, country houses and hotels which offer activities and meals for the family.
And when eating, the cuisine from Quito has an ample range of sweets which captivate the palates of all ages: almond sweets, meringue, fruit ice cream and other delicacies are some of the desserts that you can enjoy in Quito.ADVERTISEMENTVisit these magical places in the capital of the Middle of the World and relive childhood adventures, whilst you discover why your story begins in Quito.
For more detail visit https://visitquito.ec/

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Proving the power of the set-jetting trend, tailor-made tour operator Frontier Canada is seeing a serious rebound in travel to Canada. With the country’s larger-than-life landscapes bursting onto our screens in two critically acclaimed TV series, including the BBC’s Race Across The World and HBO’s The Last of Us, the UK’s passion for travel to the Great White North appears to have been well and truly ignited.
And, there will soon be even more to look forward to, as the second series of The Last of Us is set to be filmed in British Columbia. Canada is also gracing the covers of top-tier publications, with British Vogue including Canada in its top 10 list of Trending Travel Destinations To Explore This Year and TIME magazine highlighting Churchill, Manitoba, as one of the World’s Greatest Places in its third annual roundup.
​Jeremy Timms, Managing Director of Frontier Canada, comments, “Last summer was our busiest yet for at least a decade. Once the country’s borders opened in October 2021, there was a dramatic surge in bookings. This summer is proving to be just as busy, and the cost-of-living crisis clearly hasn’t affected the demand for holidays to Canada. The provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are performing particularly well, and Canada has certainly benefited from the set-jet craze, with the BBC’s Race Across The World and HBO’s The Last of Us inspiring many of us to take a trip to the Great White North.”
​A likely contender for TV show of the year and filmed primarily in Alberta, The Last of Us took the UK by storm, with the finale of the nine-part series watched by over 3.1 million Sky UK viewers—Sky’s biggest finale audience ever for a US debut series. The largest film production in Alberta’s history and one of the biggest in Canada, season one featured 180 locations, from Grande Prairie to Waterton Lakes National Park. Stampede City made several appearances, with notable places like Inglewood (Calgary’s oldest and one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods), the Heritage Park Historical Village (Canada’s largest living history museum) and the Calgary Zoo all making the final cut. The 10-night Hidden Treasures BC & Alberta fly-drive starts and ends in Calgary, with time spent in Waterton and Canmore—most of the filming taking place in the small mountain town. Where the Alberta prairies meet the majestic Canadian Rockies, Waterton Lake National Park (see the wilderness scenes in episode eight) borders Montana’s Glacier National Park and is renowned for its hiking and wildlife viewing. It is also the only spot in Alberta where you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an international peace park, a dark sky preserve, and a biosphere reserve all rolled into one. A favourite of the lead actors (Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) and a jumping off point for adventure including hiking, biking, and even golf, Canmore has its own Banff-esque Quarry Lake, the iconic Ha Ling Peak, and Mt. Rundle towering above it. British Columbia’s Fernie, Panorama, and Kicking Horse resorts also feature on the itinerary before crossing back over into Alberta to explore Banff. From £1,950pp (two sharing), including accommodation, car hire, and return flights. Frontier Canada is also able to create tailor-made fly-drives for die-hard fans of The Last of Us: the capital city of Edmonton and the smaller suburbs of Fort MacLeod and Bragg Creek, other locations from the hit series.
ADVERTISEMENT​British Vogue’s list of the top 10 trending travel destinations to visit in 2023 featured Canada. The publication touted the country’s abundance of national parks, wildlife, and energetic cities and highlighted several provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia. The 10-night Stunning fly-drive Circle Best of British Columbia & the Rockies starts and ends in Vancouver and includes two nights in Banff (episode three’s checkpoint) and the chance to take in the stunning coastal scenery and mountain splendour of the Sea-To-Sky Highway, both the national park and the legendary roadway, which runs from Vancouver to Whistler, mentioned in Vogue. The itinerary also includes stops in Whistler, Jasper, and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, one of BC’s many celebrated wine regions. From £1,995pp (two sharing) including accommodation, car hire and return flights.

TIME magazine listed Churchill, Manitoba—episode four’s checkpoint—as one of the world’s greatest places to visit in 2023. From July to November, around a thousand polar bears migrate to Churchill, earning it the nickname of the “Polar Bear Capital Of The World.” Located at Polar Bear Point, home to the largest concentration of polar bears in this part of Canada, the Tundra Buggy Lodge offers 24/7 wildlife viewing and the chance to sleep alongside the bears themselves. Lucky travellers might even catch sight of the Northern Lights – visible here for 300 days of the year. Five night Polar Bears in Churchill Enthusiast from £5,889pp (two sharing), including Air Canada flights, 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill and 2 full days on the Tundra Buggy.

​In episode five, the teams headed from Manitoba to Ontario and made a roughly 1,864-mile journey to Lake Huron and Manitoulin Island—the heart of the Great Lakes (the Great Lakes holding 20% of the world’s freshwater) and the largest island in a freshwater lake on the planet. Canoeing, fishing and beachcombing are on offer, and home to one of Canada’s top hikes, the family-friendly Cup and Saucer Trail (part of the Niagara Escarpment, with 70-metre cliffs, over 2 km long) leads to Manitoulin’s highest point. The route features four lookout points, including the east lookout, a rock ledge with a panoramic view of the millions of trees that cover the island. Home to six Anishinaabe First Nations, the island’s Indigenous guides make the adventures here truly authentic. Starting in Toronto and ending at Niagara Falls, the 13-night Lakeside Adventures in Ontario fly-drive includes a stay on Manitoulin Island and stops in the Killarney and Algonquin provincial parks. From £2,595pp (two sharing) including accommodation, car hire and return flights.
​Canada’s first zero-emission hydrogen-powered train (only emitting water vapor) is set to launch this June in Québec. The Train de Charlevoix, will run from the Québec City (episode six) Terminal at Chute-Montmorency through to Baie-St-Paul—known for its mountains and art galleries—between June 17 and October 22, 2023. Throughout the summer an eco-agrotourism guided tour will be available in Baie-Saint-Paul, with stops at local sustainable breweries. Seven-night Quebec City Break | A Whale’s Tail and Two Cities from £1,440pp (two sharing) including accommodation, transfers, day tour to Tadoussac and return flights.
​A new activity, cage diving with great white sharks, will be available at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, from August 01—episode seven’s checkpoint. Described as “the ultimate life experience and adventure,” the excursions will include the opportunity to search for sharks while learning from experts and contributing to research. Starting and ending in Halifax, an eight-night tailor-made Nova Scotia fly-drive includes stops in Kejimkujik National Park and Cape Breton, and a night at White Point Beach Resort near Liverpool from £2,000pp (two sharing), including all accommodation , car hire, and return flights.
​Frontier Canada (020 8776 8709; [email protected]; Frontier-Canada.co.uk).

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NEOM has a new head of tourism. Niall Gibbons has joined the US$500bn project from Tourism Ireland and fills a role that has been empty for over two years, last filled by Andrew McEvoy, who has since returned to Australia.Gibbons takes on one of the most high-profile positions in the company, leading the giga-roject’s tourism vision, which spans developments such as Sindalah and The Line.
NEOM is expected to help turn tourism into one of KSA’s top economic drivers.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, Gibbons has been spent the entire time in his native Ireland.
His most recent role was CEO of Tourism Ireland, a position he held for 14 years. From 2002 to 2009, he was the company’s director of corporate services.
He announced his departure from Tourism Ireland in January 2023, saying: “I want to thank everyone for all the support I have received over the last 21 years. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the next few months before I depart. I wish the staff of Tourism Ireland and the tourism industry well in 2023 and beyond.”ADVERTISEMENTHe is also an honorary fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute
Source: Hotelier Middle East

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The 49th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East brought high-level delegations from 12 countries together at the Dead Sea, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to assess the current state of tourism in the region and advance shared plans for its future.
Middle East: First Region to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to UNWTO data, the Middle East is the first global region to exceed pre-pandemic numbers of international tourist arrivals so far in 2023.
Overall, international arrivals to destinations in the Middle East during the first quarter of 2023 were 15% higher than in the same period of 2019Jordan welcomed 4.6 million tourists in 2022, close to the 4.8 million recorded in 2029, with receipts from tourism totaling US$5.8 billion for the yearOn the eve of the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein to congratulate him on the “rapid and remarkable” recovery of Jordanian tourism. The Secretary-General also commended the strong support shown to tourism by the Jordanian Royal Family and the Government, including for ongoing work to diversify the sector.UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has shown its resilience in the face of crisis. And now, recovery is well underway – with all the challenges and opportunities this brings. For the Middle East, tourism represents an unrivalled driver of employment and opportunity, as well as economic diversification and resilience.”
UNWTO Supports Members’ Priorities in the Middle EastParticipants, representing 12 of the 13 UNWTO Member States in the region, and including 7 Ministers of Tourism, benefitted from a comprehensive overview of the Organization’s progress achieving its Programme of Work.:ADVERTISEMENTEducation: Members were given an overview of UNWTO’s work to advance one of its key priorities for tourism. Key achievements include an agreement signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop tourism education, including through online courses with the potential to reach up to 300 million people worldwide, and the Jobs Factory, linking 50 employers with 100,000 jobseekers. UNWTO is also launching a first Undergraduate Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management and developing plans to make tourism a high school subject.Tourism for Rural Development: The UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) is growing as a global hub of tourism for rural development. Members were updated on its work, including the Best Tourism Villages initiative, which is welcoming applications for its third edition.Innovation: UNWTO is working with its Members to make the Middle East a hub of tourism innovation. Recent initiatives include the Women in Tech Start-Up Competition for the Middle East, aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs across the region, and the Tourism Tech Adventures forum held in Qatar.Looking AheadIn line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from the Middle East agreed:

Jordan will serve as the Chair of the Commission for the Middle East for the period 2023 to 2025. Egypt and Kuwait will serve as the Vice Chairs.The Commission will meet in Oman for its 50th meeting.

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