Regional Office for the Middle East

In 2020, under Saudi Arabia's G20 Presidency, UN Tourism developed the AlUla Framework for Inclusive Community Development through Tourism, establishing tourism as a powerful tool for driving positive change in rural communities worldwide. Building on this foundation, UN Tourism launched the Best Tourism Villages initiative in 2021, identifying the world's top tourism villages based on sustainability and best practices. The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East has become the global hub for the tourism for rural development programme, with the Best Tourism Network growing each year. The network has grown into the largest global community of villages harnessing tourism to create lasting positive impacts, with 12 tourism villages from the Middle East, including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, being recognized.

 The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East remains dedicated to partnering with stakeholders to advance rural development, preserve cultural heritage, and promote sustainable tourism, while encouraging continuous engagement and innovation within the network.

Education lies at the core of our mission at the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, reflecting our belief in the pivotal role that knowledge and skills development play in fostering sustainable tourism. By placing education at the forefront, we aim to empower stakeholders across the region to adopt international best practices, enhance their capabilities, and contribute to the long-term resilience and growth of the tourism sector. As part of this commitment, we implement a wide range of educational initiatives, including training programmes, capacity-building workshops, and strategic tourism education projects. In collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we have launched 10 online Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) designed to strengthen both managerial and vocational skills. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish, these courses are intended to elevate tourism management, align practices with global standards, and support the ambitions of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

The UN Tourism Regional Office is committed to fostering innovation and digital transformation in the Middle East's tourism sector, supporting entrepreneurs by providing Middle Eastern startups with opportunities to thrive. This is achieved through initiatives that offer entrepreneurs global visibility, mentorship, and support. One such initiative, the Women in Tech Startup Competition, launched in 2023 with a second edition in 2024, attracted over 200 applicants from the region. Aligned with SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (economic growth), the competition provides winners with exceptional trainings and global visibility, presenting opportunities to pitch their businesses at events such as World Tourism Day, the Future Hospitality Summit, empowering them to scale their tourism ventures. Moreover, the office is involved in research projects that shape the future of tourism, focusing on topics like AI's impact on tourism employment, digital transformation, and labour market analysis. These studies provide data-driven insights to support policymakers and stakeholders in promoting inclusive growth, digital readiness, and sustainable workforce development in the region.