The fifty -first meeting of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Tourism for the Middle East, which was hosted by Qatar for Tourism, was concluded yesterday, and witnessed the participation of tourism ministers, senior officials and experts from different countries of the region, as well as leaders of the United Nations Tourism Organization.
During the meeting, the reports of the United Nations Tourism Organization on the performance of the sector were reviewed during 2024-2025, in addition to discussing future policies and plans aimed at developing sustainable tourism and enhancing regional cooperation in this vital sector.
The meeting represented a valuable opportunity to discuss policies and strategies to develop the tourism sector in the Middle East region, and it is also a platform to enhance regional cooperation in the tourism sector in a way that contributes to achieving comprehensive development and empowering local communities, which is one of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.
Participants stressed that sustainable tourism has proven its ability to make a positive impact on societies by providing job opportunities, supporting the local economy, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing investments in infrastructure projects.
They also showed that the Middle East region has witnessed remarkable developments in recent years in the tourism industry, especially sports tourism, and that the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar formed a global model in organizing major sporting events and had a profound impact on the tourism industry in the region where tourism and sports are consistent twins. We are able to achieve sustainable economic growth and enhance the region’s position as a global attraction for major events.
The meeting also dealt with strengthening this cooperation between institutions and achieving more common successes by advancing human development and working to develop it to serve the tourism sector.
The meeting touched that the role of officials and makers of a decision is not limited to developing policies only, but extends to the development of innovative strategies based on technology and digital transformation and encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors.
In addition to the ministerial sessions and official meetings, the conference “Sports Tourism and Tourism Industry after the World Cup”, which will be held today in the resort and center of the Sheraton Grand Doha meetings, will be organized with the participation of a group of experts and specialists.
The conference will discuss the impact of major sporting events on tourism in the Middle East, its role in developing sustainable tourism, as well as the role of technology in promoting the experience of sports tourism.
Qatar’s tourism hosting this meeting comes to reflect Qatar’s escalating position as a regional and global center in the tourism industry, and its prominent role in advancing sustainable tourism development, in light of the successes it achieved in hosting major international events.
Al -Mahmoud: A prominent place for Doha on the map of global tourism
Mr. Jassim Al -Mahmoud, Director of Public Relations and Communication Department of “Visit QATAR”, confirmed that the State of Qatar hosting the meeting of the UN Tourism Organization for the Middle East reflects the prestigious position that Doha has reached on the global tourism map as a leading destination in the world of tourism.
Al -Mahmoud said in press statements on the sidelines of the meeting that the praise of Mr. Zurab Pololicashvili, Secretary -General of the United Nations Tourism, confirms what tourism has reached in Qatar, where the most developed countries in tourism are considered tourism from 2019 until today by an estimated rate of 137 percent, which is a sign of the extent of development The tourism sector will contribute to making the State of Qatar one of the major tourist destinations in the region. Especially in light of the great successes that it has achieved in recent years in hosting the major global events, foremost of which is the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
On the most prominent of the meeting, Al -Mahmoud said that ways to enhance regional cooperation in the tourism sector have been discussed, and the exchange of ideas and experiences with partners from all over the region to enhance the role of the Middle East as a unique tourist destination in the world.
On the discussion sessions that are held today, he said that there are five discussion sessions, one of which focuses on sports tourism as one of the most important pillars of investment opportunities and indicating the role of the State of Qatar as one of the most important countries in the region for tourist attraction in this regard.