For the first time, Saudi Arabia will host more than 500 leaders, experts and officials from 120 countries around the world in Riyadh, to speak at World Tourism Day panel discussions.
World Tourism Day 2023 will be held this September 27 under the theme ‘Tourism and Green Investment’ with the aim of strengthening global cooperation to explore opportunities to enhance the resilience of the sector and drive growth towards an investment-led and sustainability-focused future.
The participation of the speakers outlines the growth and prosperity of the global tourism sector and reflects the exceptional participation in this important occasion, which is the biggest celebration of World Tourism Day since its inception 43 years ago.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “On World Tourism Day, we recognize the urgent need for green investments in order to build a tourism sector that serves people and the planet, and we must unite efforts to harness the full potential of sustainable tourism, as it is an investment in a bright future for all.”
Speakers will be led by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili, Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia Nikolina Brinjak, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Mehmet Ersoy, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain Rosa Ana Murillo Rodríguez, and CEO of the World Travel Council and tourism Julia Simpson, Secretary General of the World Tourism Economy Forum Pansy Ho, CEO of Saudi Arabian Airlines Captain Ibrahim Al-Kushi, CEO of MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of Travelport Greg Webb, CEO of Virtuoso Matthew Abshersh, and CEO of OYO Ritesh Agarwal.
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Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said that “hosting this important global forum enhances Saudi Arabia’s position and leading role in reshaping the future of the global tourism sector,” adding: “It also comes as an affirmation of Riyadh’s successes as a regional center for the organization, and its initiatives and achievements during the past four years.”
For his part, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili pointed out that the focus during World Tourism Day is on the importance of investing in building a more sustainable sector, in order to build people and the growth and prosperity of the planet, in addition to the need to invest in education and promote innovation as a basis for long-term growth and development, pointing out that this year’s official celebration in Saudi Arabia reflects how tourism is adopted to diversify economies and provide opportunities for all.
The hosting came at a time when the sector’s contribution to global GDP reached $9.5 trillion in 2023, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
This is in line with the organization’s forecast that the sector is still on track to reach 80 to 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year, and is expected to exceed 2019 levels next year, with the increasing impact of tourism globally in building bridges between cultures, creating jobs and businesses.
The dialogue sessions will focus on a number of important topics, including: people, planet and prosperity, the role of the sector in building bridges between cultures, preserving the environment, investing in human resources, challenges and solutions to achieve a sustainable future, innovation and promoting entrepreneurship, and smooth and inclusive travel.
A gala dinner will be held in historic Diriyah, a UNESCO-accredited World Heritage Site, and a session will be held between Saudi Arabia and Georgia, to hand over the tasks of celebrating World Tourism Day next year.
Hosting this important event enhances Riyadh’s position and leadership in all fields around the world, including the global tourism sector. The Kingdom was elected Chairman of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization for the year 2023 and Riyadh hosted the World Travel and Tourism Council World Summit last year. Riyadh hosts the UNWTO Regional Office in the Middle East.
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