Shaikha Al Nowais named first female Secretary-General of UN Tourism

Shaikha Al Nowais, a prominent figure in the tourism and hospitality sector in the Middle East and Africa, has been appointed as the first female Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). 

 

Elected during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council held recently in Madrid, Al Nowais will officially assume the role in January next year. 

 

In her upcoming role, Shaikha Al Nowais will lead the UN’s specialised agency for tourism at a critical time for the industry. Her ambitious five-pillar vision includes responsible tourism, youth and women empowerment, tech-driven solutions, innovative financing, and transparent governance. 

 

As a prominent figure in the Hotel Association and the Middle East and Africa chapter of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA), Al Nowais has long been at the forefront of strategic collaboration across the public and private sectors. 

 

Lauding the appointment, the UAE Restaurant Group (UAERG) said Al Nowais’s historic election was a major milestone for the UAE and global tourism, signalling a new era of leadership, inclusion, and innovation in the hospitality sector.

 

With over 15 years of experience in tourism and hospitality strategy, she is a proven leader in sustainability, investment, and innovation. Her appointment not only recognises her individual excellence but also reflects the UAE’s ongoing efforts to empower women in leadership and position itself as a hub for global hospitality, said the UAERG in a statement.  

 

Her leadership is expected to create a ripple effect that enhances global tourism standards, fosters economic growth, and encourages the inclusion of emerging markets and voices, particularly from the Middle East, it added. 

 

On the key milestone, Amit Nayak, Vice Chairman of the UAE Restaurant Group and Vice President of HAMA MEA, said: "Al Nowais’s appointment is a momentous achievement for the global hospitality community. Her vision for responsible and inclusive tourism resonates with our goals at HAMA MEA and UAERG, where we strive to align investment strategies with long-term, sustainable growth. Her appointment sets a powerful example for aspiring leaders across the UAE and beyond."

 

"Her deep ties to the regional hospitality community, including associations such as HAMA further showcase the collaborative spirit that drives innovation within the UAE’s tourism and F&B sectors," she added. 

 

Abdulla Al Mulla, Chairman of the UAE Restaurant Group, said: "We are immensely proud of Al Nowais’s appointment as Secretary-General of UN Tourism. It is a powerful statement of the talent and ambition emerging from the UAE."

 

"As the national representative body for the food and beverage industry, we at UAERG believe her leadership will create stronger ties between tourism and gastronomy, opening new opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and global culinary innovation," she added. 

 

This historic appointment also shines a spotlight on the strength of the UAE’s hospitality ecosystem, he added.-TradeArabia News Service