Riyadh to host 26th UNWTO General Assembly in landmark GCC first

SAUDI ARABIA – Riyadh has been chosen to host the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) from November 7 to 11, 2025, marking the organization’s 50th anniversary.

This will be the first time a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country hosts this prestigious event.

The UNWTO, a specialized United Nations agency, promotes accessible and sustainable global tourism.

The General Assembly, which convenes every two years, is the highest decision-making body of UNWTO.

Member states gather to approve budgets, define strategic priorities, and discuss innovations shaping the future of tourism worldwide.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, the 2025 assembly is expected to be the largest in UNWTO history, with over 160 delegations attending.

The event represents a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing tourism sector and aligns with Vision 2030 objectives.

Alongside hosting the assembly and 50th anniversary celebrations, Riyadh will be home to the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, enhancing the Kingdom’s role in regional tourism leadership.

Key themes of the 2025 assembly include AI-powered tourism, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Discussions will explore how technology like artificial intelligence enhances traveler experiences, supports environmental protection, and drives economic growth in the travel sector.

This event highlights Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism ambitions, symbolized by major projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya.

Hosting the UNWTO General Assembly is both an honor and an opportunity to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural richness and investment potential to the global tourism community.

Saudi Arabia has experienced remarkable growth in its tourism sector in 2025, underscoring its emergence as a global travel destination.

The Kingdom welcomed 60.9 million visitors in the first half of the year, generating tourism spending of SAR 161.4 billion (US$43 billion).

This represented a 4% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting growing leisure, religious, and domestic tourism markets.

The average stay for international tourists reached 6.7 nights, while domestic travelers stayed an average of 18.6 nights.

Investments in mega-projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya have driven infrastructure development and diversified tourism offerings.

This surge in tourism directly supports Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 26th UNWTO General Assembly, demonstrating the Kingdom’s capabilities and ambitions within the global tourism landscape aligned with Vision 2030.

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