Kuwait emerges as a key decision-maker on the global tourism map

The Director of the Regional Department for the Middle East at the World Tourism Organization, Basma Al-Mayman, stated today, Wednesday, that Kuwait’s election as the ‘President of the Organization’s Regional Committee for the Middle East’ positions the country as a key decision-maker on the global tourism map.

This statement was made by Al-Mayman to KUNA, after Kuwait was unanimously elected as the President of the Regional Committee for the Middle East for a renewable two-year term during the 51st meeting of the committee, held in the Qatari capital last week.

Al-Mayman highlighted that Kuwait’s election as the committee’s president marks a historic milestone for the country within the organization. She emphasized that Kuwait will play a key role in shaping tourism policies for the Middle East region, leading to international recommendations that will be presented to the Executive Council and General Assembly alongside those from the five other global regions.

Furthermore, Al-Mayman emphasized that Kuwait, as a founding member of the organization, now holds the unanimous trust of Middle Eastern countries, leading the regional committee and solidifying its position as a key decision-maker on the global tourism map.

Al-Mayman highlighted Kuwait’s significant efforts in developing and enhancing its tourism sector, emphasizing that this reflects the country’s growing focus on tourism as a promising industry that could serve as a complementary sector to oil in oil-producing nations.

What’s more is that Al-Mayman shared that she had the privilege of visiting Kuwait twice, where she gained insight into the country’s promising tourism development plans. She highlighted the “exceptional organization” of the recent Gulf Cup Football Championship (Gulf 26), which not only elevated Kuwait’s hosting capabilities but also significantly benefited tourism facilities and entities in the sector. She noted that during the event, hotel occupancy rates exceeded 99 percent, showcasing the sector’s growing potential.

During the 51st meeting of the committee held in Doha last week, Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, was nominated as Chairman of the Committee.

Al-Mutairi emphasized the importance of developing innovative plans and initiatives to strengthen the tourism sector and promote collaboration among member states to enhance regional tourism.

Basma Al-Mayman of Saudi Arabia is the first Gulf official in the history of the World Tourism Organization to hold an official position and the first Arab woman to achieve this milestone.