RIYADH: Countries worldwide have committed to advancing a more sustainable tourism sector that embraces digital transformation and addresses workforce challenges.
The Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism was unveiled during the UN Tourism 26th General Assembly, hosted in Saudi Arabia.
The declaration emphasizes that ministers “acknowledge that the global tourism sector is at a turning point in how people travel, how destinations evolve, and how communities thrive.” It also recognizes that rapid technological advancements — including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies — are reshaping the global tourism landscape.
The document outlines 11 pledges, starting with a commitment for all member states to “act immediately to advance and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable tourism sector that balances environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social well-being.”
It also encourages countries to “advance and promote the responsible adoption of digital transformation and innovation in the tourism sector by incentivizing investment in digital infrastructure, taking into account different levels of infrastructural development.”
Other pledges focus on strengthening the sector’s resilience, including advancing risk assessments, investing in “adaptive infrastructure and systems,” and fostering rapid response and recovery mechanisms.
Highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts, one goal calls on member states to “address workforce shortages and skills gaps by encouraging investments in tourism education and training, and sharing knowledge among all member states.”
Cultural preservation is also addressed, with countries urged to “promote culturally respectful and socially inclusive tourism by engaging authentically with local communities, safeguarding cultural heritage, and protecting the social fabric of host societies, while preserving cultural identity.”
The declaration notes that adopting new technologies will have “profound and multifaceted effects on the future of tourism,” and identifies sustainability, environmental pressures, accessibility, and digital innovation gaps as key areas of concern. It also highlights challenges such as exposure to crises, workforce shortages, talent mismatches, social integration, unbalanced visitor flows, and infrastructure limitations.
Public safety and the equitable distribution of tourism benefits are also raised as priorities.
At a press conference announcing the declaration, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said the General Assembly aimed “to set a clear vision for the future with tourism as a driver of peace, prosperity, innovation and sustainability for all.”
She added: “This is the biggest General Assembly that we have done in the history of the organization, more than 150 delegations, 90 ministers, 70 ambassadors, 17 deputy ministers of vice-ministers. Our affiliate members, the private sector, more than 120 companies from the private sector.”
Beyond setting pledges, the declaration directs UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al-Nowais to develop a “strategic roadmap” on the future of tourism, to be presented to the Executive Council within a year.
It also calls on Al-Nowais to implement the AI Impact on Tourism Report and Recommendation Guide and create a global maturity framework or index for AI in tourism. This tool will help countries assess readiness, identify gaps, unlock opportunities, and ensure the responsible and safe adoption of AI in the sector.
Member states requested UN Tourism to track AI adoption globally and develop recommendations for improvement. This report is expected at the Executive Council’s first ordinary session in 2027.
Also speaking at the press conference, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb described the Riyadh Declaration as a “roadmap,” highlighting the commitment of member states and the secretary-general to its implementation.
“All decisions during the event were taken in a positive atmosphere, underscoring the Kingdom’s coordination abilities,” he said.
