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RIYADH: Tourism continues to play a crucial role in driving economic diversification across the Gulf region, with the sector viewed as a key contributor to sustainable growth, according to a senior official. 

Speaking at the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi underscored the region’s collective efforts to upgrade infrastructure and enhance service quality in line with the sector’s rapid transformation. 

He also underscored the GCC’s commitment to aligning with international tourism shifts to consolidate its position as a leading destination. 

Praising ��������’s leadership in the global tourism landscape, Al-Budaiwi said the Kingdom’s efforts reflect “qualitative initiatives in enhancing joint international action and establishing a more prosperous and sustainable tourism ecosystem.” 

He emphasized the strategic importance of tourism for the region, noting that “the GCC countries pay great attention to tourism and its related sectors, viewing it as a pivotal tributary for economic growth and the diversification of income sources.”  
He added: “The GCC countries’ continuous keenness to develop advanced infrastructure and raise the quality of services in the tourism sector, in line with the rapid transformations in this vital sector, which contributes to consolidating their position as a leading global destination.”    

The 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, held on Nov. 9, convened in Riyadh under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.” 

The event was officially opened by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and included wide-ranging discussions on innovation, technology, and sustainability in the tourism sector. 

More than 160 delegates from around the world convened in Riyadh for the assembly — the first time the event has been hosted by a GCC country. 

The gathering underscores the region’s growing influence in global tourism, with participants engaging in four plenary sessions, multiple committee meetings, and two sessions of the Executive Council. 

Ahead of the assembly, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the transformative power of tourism, while Al-Khateeb described the event as a defining moment for charting the industry’s future. 

The assembly marked another step in the Kingdom’s broader vision to align regional collaboration with global trends in tourism development.