Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi, the newly elected Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the term 2026 to 2029, held bilateral meetings with several ministers from the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic. The discussions aimed to explore ways to enhance collaborative efforts in support of global tourism sector development.
These meetings took place on the sidelines of the inaugural “Investopia – Mediterranean” event held recently in Cyprus, which witnessed significant international participation from leaders, ministers, businesspersons, investors, and economic experts from the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, and Europe. The discussions were part of her initiative to consult with international partners on the priorities for global tourism actions in the upcoming years, as she prepares to take on her role at the UNWTO.
Sheikha Al Nuaimi emphasized that tourism plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable economic growth as it creates job opportunities, supports local businesses in increasing their revenues, and enhances cultural connections. She highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts to develop new initiatives and projects across various tourism sectors, stressing that expanding cooperation with countries worldwide is vital for advancing sustainable tourism development both regionally and globally.
She stated, “I am committed to building upon the organization’s accomplishments in the broad spectrum of global tourism development activities, including advancements in tourism data systems, linking tourism with essential sectors like entertainment, sports, hospitality, cultural arts, and urban tourism. Furthermore, I aim to integrate artificial intelligence into tourism development policies, attract foreign direct investment in tourism, and enhance skills and human resources through training and academic programs.”
Meetings
Sheikha Al Nuaimi had three separate meetings with Cypriot ministers, including Dr. Konstantinos Koumbos, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Giorgos Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry; and Costas Commas, Minister of State for Tourism. During these meetings, she shared her strategic vision for maintaining the cultural and tourism identity of communities, creating job opportunities for youth, fostering a culture of environmental resource conservation, and enhancing the tourism sector’s ability to adapt to global challenges while developing sustainable tourism products. She asserted that the prosperity of tourism relies on empowering communities, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation to ensure a resilient and sustainable future.
The discussions also covered the enhancement of cooperation opportunities in the wellness tourism sector, recognized as a promising area for stimulating travel in the region and worldwide. This sector contributes to providing unique and comprehensive tourism experiences focused on health and well-being through a variety of activities, including wellness resorts, healthy nutrition, yoga, and other practices that promote a healthy lifestyle. The Cypriot ministers expressed their appreciation for the UAE’s leading experience in tourism development, affirming their commitment to broadening collaboration and exchanging expertise with partners across all tourism sectors while promoting destinations and attractions through the organization in the coming period.
Meeting with the Greek Delegation
Sheikha Al Nuaimi held a meeting with Olga Kefaloyanni, the Greek Minister of Tourism, to discuss the significance of exchanging experiences and best practices in developing sustainable tourism destinations, as well as supporting international partnerships that contribute to the recovery of the tourism sector globally following the challenges of recent years. She presented her future vision for maintaining the positive development direction led by the UNWTO while enhancing communication channels with partner governments in various member states and supporting growth facilitators for the private sector and entrepreneurs in tourism, along with promoting a culture of sustainable tourism and global tourism innovation.
During the meeting, she also reviewed several strategies and action plans aimed at making the Greek tourism sector more sustainable based on best practices. She emphasized the role of these strategies in developing specialized tourism products and improving airport and port infrastructure to facilitate the flow of tourists to attractions and destinations within the Greek markets.