Kuwait city: The Sultanate of Oman took part in the fifty-second meeting of the Regional Commission for the Middle East of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, convened in the State of Kuwait. The engagement reflects Oman's ongoing commitment to strengthening regional coordination and shaping future strategic directions for the tourism sector across the region. The meeting is attended by Ministers of Tourism, senior officials, and delegates representing member states.
According to Oman News Agency, the Sultanate of Oman was represented at the meeting by Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al Kharousi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Kuwait. The meeting deliberated a comprehensive array of strategic agenda items, prominently featuring the address of the Commission Chair and the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The Secretary-General's report presented global tourism indicators, regional policy approaches, and a forward-looking vision for the sector founded upon enhanced international cooperation and the development of diverse tourism products-notably sports tourism, culinary and gastronomy tourism, wellness and medical tourism-alongside the advancement of sustainable tourism development. The meeting further reviewed the report of the Regional Executive Director for the Middle East on the implementation status of the Organization's Programme of Work in the region for the 2025-2026 period.
During the proceedings, the Commission acknowledged UN Tourism initiatives in innovation, education, and investment. Discussions also encompassed the activities of affiliate members within the region over the corresponding period, alongside interventions by member states addressing matters of shared interest. The host country for the fifty-third meeting of the Regional Commission for the Middle East was announced, with the State of Libya unanimously selected to preside over the Commission's session in the forthcoming year.
Through its active participation, the Sultanate of Oman reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing regional cooperation and deepening partnerships with fellow member states and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Such collaboration is instrumental in fostering sustainable tourism development, facilitating the exchange of expertise, and adapting to the profound transformations currently reshaping the tourism landscape both regionally and globally.
Concurrent with the Commission meeting, an international conference entitled "Advancing Tourism Through Artificial Intelligence" is being convened, alongside a regional workshop organized by UN Tourism in partnership with a leading global corporation under the theme "Unlocking the Horizons of Artificial Intelligence in Tourism." The workshop showcases distinguished regional and international case studies, delineates a clear strategic pathway for the forthcoming phase, strengthens international cooperation, and develops human-centric technological solutions. These initiatives aim to construct an inclusive and sustainable tourism sector that advances global efforts toward a more integrated and interconnected international tourism system.