KSA’s ‘Riyadh Declaration’ Outlines a Roadmap for Global Tourism

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourism authorities are working hard to establish the Kingdom as one of the top travel destinations worldwide. The “Riyadh Declaration,” which expresses the Kingdom’s desire to improve its position on the global tourism scene and provides a clear roadmap for attaining sustainable tourism, is the recent result of these efforts.

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has developed into a global centre for introducing the future vision of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). From November 7 to November 11, it held the 26th General Assembly session, which had as its topic “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Shaping Global Tourism.”

The meeting concluded with the formal adoption of the “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism,” a crucial document that outlines a clear framework for the growth and sustainable development of the international tourism sector.

For the first time, the declaration identified eight key challenges in global tourism and provided a comprehensive roadmap for governments, the private sector, and international organisations to collaboratively develop the sector. Moreover, the event brought together ministers, officials, experts, and innovators from over 160 countries to discuss initiatives like the Global Charter of Ethics for Tourism and the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme.

Likewise, the appointment of Emirati Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais as the organisation’s Secretary-General for the years 2026–2029, making her the first woman and Gulf national to hold this worldwide position, was the session’s primary result. Furthermore, this illustrates the substantial and qualitative change that was observed at the Riyadh session.

The Organisation’s Biggest Gathering in History

The UNWTO General Assembly, described by Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib as the largest to date, endorsed the South-South Initiative, increased member state contributions by 2%, determined the location for the next conference, and approved nominations for executive councils across five regions. The agenda was deemed significant, and the Riyadh Declaration received unanimous approval.

Besides, Al-Khatib highlighted the historic appointment of Sheikha Nasser Al-Nowais as the first female president of the organisation, set to lead from 2026. He emphasised the positive atmosphere during the session, showcasing the Kingdom’s capability to collaborate with member states to amplify their voices and implement proposals.

Further, he noted that the last conference reaffirmed all resolutions made to the General Assembly and highlighted the significance of the “Riyadh Declaration,” which serves as the organisation’s road plan. Beginning in 2026, member states will work with the Secretary-General to prioritise sustainability, improve air connectivity, attract investment, and train talented workers.

Meanwhile, Al-Khatib continued by saying that Saudi Arabia has increased its 2030 tourism goal from 100 million to 150 million, having already surpassed its aim by 100 million domestic and 50 million foreign visitors. He believes that in the near future, the Kingdom will rank among the top ten tourism attractions worldwide.

In addition, Al-Nowais confirmed that, to build infrastructure, improve air connectivity, and guarantee transparency and moral governance, her priorities for the next phase will centre on attaining sustainable and responsible growth. She will also focus on digital transformation and smart tourism, economic inclusion, and empowering local communities.

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The Riyadh Declaration on Tourism’s Future

Aiming to build international tourism on the pillars of resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness, member states drafted the Riyadh Declaration following extensive consultations. Additionally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formally requested the Executive Board’s assistance in accomplishing three major goals on April 22, 2025, which may be the source of some of the Declaration’s origins.

• Establishing a worldwide framework to gauge the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in travel.
• Formulating guidelines for AI applications.
• Issuing a ministerial declaration outlining the principles for the shared ethical adoption of the technology.

The ministers in charge of tourism stated in the Declaration that AI is a game-changer for the industry, changing travel habits, creating new travel destinations, and promoting local community prosperity. Besides, maintaining the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the declaration also listed ten fundamental values that member states must adhere to. They consist of:

Sustainability & Climate

Integrating sustainability into the heart of tourism development and taking urgent action to address climate challenges.

Digital Transformation

Accelerating digitalisation and investing in infrastructure, while supporting the responsible integration of emerging technologies.

Resilience & Governance

Enhancing the sector’s adaptability through resilient infrastructure and implementing robust data governance practices to ensure privacy and cybersecurity.

Value & Action

Addressing the tourism workforce shortage and bridging skills gaps, and ensuring a more equitable distribution of economic benefits to local communities.

Legal Convention

Requesting that the organisation create a formal convention on tourism’s future to formally codify these ideas. Furthermore, the proclamation instructed the organisation’s Secretary-General to begin immediate implementation duties, such as:

• Developing a global framework or maturity index for artificial intelligence in tourism to evaluate countries’ readiness.
• Drafting a technical report on the future tourist agreement within a year.

Eventually, in a significant move towards sustainable tourism, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has emerged as a central hub for international collaboration, hosting nations in its capital, Riyadh. The “Riyadh Declaration” has been established as a pivotal document, positioning the Kingdom at the forefront of shaping the future of global tourism.

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