The UN Tourism Executive Council met again in a historic session to build on the legacy of the past eight years. At its 123rd meeting, the Council assessed progress on the priorities of innovation, investment and education, and looked ahead to the nomination of Shaikha Al Nowais to take up the post of Secretary-General of UN Tourism from 2026, succeeding Zurab Pololikashvili. Once the UN Tourism General Assembly confirms the appointment, Shaikha Al Nowais will become the first woman to hold the post.
According to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer for May 2025, more than 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, an increase of nearly 14 million compared with the same months of 2024. Building on these positive figures, member states were given an overview of progress in key areas designed to build a more innovative, resilient and sustainable sector.
The Organization's current Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Over the past 8 years, UN Tourism has embraced a transformative vision. We have placed tourism at the top of the global agenda to strengthen its competitiveness and economic value, and we have never lost sight of our main priorities: education, investment, sustainable and rural development, women's empowerment, new technologies and international expansion.”
In line with protocol, the Council elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the new Secretary-General, to take office in January 2026. Her nomination will be submitted to the UN Tourism General Assembly for approval. The nomination sets a historic precedent for the sector, as she will be the first woman to lead UN Tourism in its 50-year history, according to the UN Tourism website.
Who Is Shaikha Al Nowais?
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an Emirati entrepreneur with more than 16 years of experience in global hospitality. As Executive Vice President at Rotana Hotels, she has overseen owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye.
Shaikha Al Nowais holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Zayed University. She also chairs the Tourism Working Group at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is a board member of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and the Les Roches hospitality academy.
For his part, Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, congratulated Shaikha Al Nowais on assuming the post of Secretary-General of UN Tourism as the first woman in the Organization's history to hold this senior position, wishing her continued success in her new duties.
Fathy expressed confidence that the coming phase will see stronger fruitful cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Organization and all member states, contributing to sustainable tourism development efforts worldwide.
