Toledo: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, took part in the 126th session of the UN Tourism Executive Council, which was held in Toledo, Spain, from June 10 to 11, 2026.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia's involvement underscores its dedication to fostering international collaboration under the umbrella of UN Tourism, aiming to bolster collective efforts to enhance the sector's resilience amidst geopolitical factors impacting global travel and tourism.
During his opening remarks, Minister Al-Khateeb highlighted the tourism sector's ability to adapt and recover swiftly despite being heavily affected by global developments. He emphasized the sector's flexibility and its role as a significant contributor to national economies. Furthermore, he reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment to its partnerships with UN Tourism and member states, promoting international cooperation to advance global tourism objectives.
The minister stressed the importance of collaborative actions to ensure future resilience in the tourism industry. He referenced the outcomes of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, hosted by Riyadh, particularly the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, which serves as a roadmap for the growth and future direction of the global tourism sector.
On the sidelines of the session, Minister Al-Khateeb, alongside Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, led discussions in the Tourism Committee Meeting under the Saudi-Hellenic Strategic Partnership Council. The meeting focused on cooperation in human capital development, expertise exchange, and destination promotion.
Additionally, the Saudi delegation engaged with representatives from France to sign a joint action program involving the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and France's Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power. This agreement encompasses areas such as human capital development, tourism investment, sustainable tourism, innovation, data and statistics, international events, and destination promotion.
Minister Al-Khateeb also held discussions with tourism ministers from Indonesia, Spain, and Egypt to explore avenues for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Saudi Arabia's participation in the session reflects its ongoing cooperation with UN Tourism, highlighted by Riyadh being chosen as the regional headquarters for the Middle East and the hosting of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, where the Riyadh Declaration was unanimously supported.