MADRID, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Shaikha Al Nowais is set to become the first woman to hold the position of secretary-general of UN Tourism in the organization's 50-year history.
Her nomination was confirmed during the 123rd meeting of the Executive Council of the Madrid-based organization, held on Thursday and Friday on the outskirts of the historic city of Segovia, central Spain.
If her nomination is ratified, Al Nowais, who hails from the United Arab Emirates, will assume the role in 2026, succeeding current Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, who has served since 2018.
According to her personal website, Al Nowais is a prominent business leader in global tourism and hospitality. A finance graduate, she previously held the position of corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels.
She currently chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of both the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
In his address, Pololikashvili said "over the last eight years, UN Tourism has embraced a transformative vision."
"We have placed tourism at the forefront of the global agenda, enhancing its competitiveness and economic value. Throughout this journey, we have remained focused on our key priorities: education, investment, sustainability, rural development, women's empowerment, new technologies, and international expansion," he added.
According to the Segovia meeting, over 300 million tourists traveled internationally in the first three months of 2025, an increase of approximately 14 million compared to the same period in 2024. ■
