Kuwait city: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, participated in the 52nd UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East, held in Kuwait from February 10 to 12. The Kingdom's participation highlighted its leadership in shaping the next phase of the global tourism sector.
According to Saudi Press Agency, as president of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, Al-Khateeb delivered an opening address in which he underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation and collective action to build an integrated, future-ready tourism ecosystem.
Speaking about artificial intelligence (AI) -- the main theme of the meeting and its accompanying conference -- the minister of tourism emphasized the need to utilize AI and innovation responsibly as key enablers of growth, while stressing the importance of protecting the workforce and maintaining the human touch that defines the tourism sector.
Al-Khateeb stated that tourism is a significant driver of global growth, contributing over $10 trillion to global GDP and accounting for about 10 percent of the world economy. He noted that the Middle East has seen a 39% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2025 compared to 2019, with nearly 100 million visitors last year.
He further highlighted Saudi Arabia's substantial role in the region's tourism sector, with the Kingdom accounting for around 30% of the Middle East's tourism market. Saudi Arabia welcomed approximately 30 million inbound tourists, with spending exceeding SAR172 billion in 2025. The minister expressed pride in the country's contribution to regional tourism and commitment to ongoing collaboration with UN Tourism.
Saudi Arabia has also pledged to support the transformation of the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, based in Riyadh, into a hub for accelerating growth and promoting sustainability in the industry.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Al-Khateeb engaged with regional counterparts to promote cooperation and resilience in tourism. He also discussed investment opportunities with leading investors from Kuwait, aiming to leverage Saudi Arabia's integrated investment ecosystem for sustainable growth.
The 52nd UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East marks the first such meeting in the region since the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh last November. The assembly led to the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, outlining key pillars for the next fifty years of global tourism, including sustainability, inclusive growth, and responsible AI adoption.