Regional Office for the Middle East
The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, based in Riyadh, was established to promote sustainable tourism practices, support capacity building, and drive the growth of the tourism sector across the region.
Contact us
For further information or inquiries about the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, please reach out to
Where We Are
RYSA3902, alsafarat, 12511 Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Opening of the Regional Office for the Middle East
The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, based in Riyadh, was established to promote sustainable tourism practices, support capacity building, and drive the growth of the tourism sector across the region. By fostering strong partnerships among its 13 Arab Member States (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen) and 53 Affiliate Members, the office aims to enhance and develop the tourism sector throughout the Middle East.
At the opening ceremony in Riyadh on May 26, 2021, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was joined by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, and Her Highness Princess Haifa Al-Saud, Deputy Minister of Tourism for Strategy and Investment, to officially inaugurate the office. The event was also attended by Tourism Ministers from across the Middle East and other global regions, as well as leaders from the private sector.
Mandate and Objectives
The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East plays a key role in driving and advancing sustainable tourism development across the region. Its work focuses on fostering education and capacity building, promoting rural development, and driving innovation, while implementing technical projects on the ground and strengthening the tourism sector in Arabic-speaking countries. Through these efforts, the Office enhances collaboration among Member States and Affiliate Members, supporting the growth and modernisation of the tourism sector throughout the Middle East.
Director of the Regional Office for the Middle East
Mr. Samer Al Kharashi
Under the supervision of the Director Mr. Samer Al Kharashi, the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East serves as a vital hub for sustainable tourism development in the region. The Office actively engages stakeholders, fostering collaboration and innovation in tourism practices that contribute to the region’s long-term growth and resilience
Key Activities and Focus Areas
Tourism for Rural Development
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 and Capacity Building
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.
Innovation and Digital Transformation
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.
Major Regional Events
The UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East serves as a central hub for tourism in the region, welcoming all Member States and Affiliate Members to engage in events, activities, and workshops. The office is dedicated to fostering collaboration and advancing sustainable tourism development across the Middle East.
UN Tourism’s Participation in the 11th UNAOC Global Forum in Riyadh
14 - 15 December, 2025
Middle East
Public Face-to-face Regional Office in Riyadh
UN Tourism Highlights the Growing Role of Health and Wellness Tourism at Qatar Travel Mart
26 November, 2025
Middle East
Public Face-to-face Regional Office in Riyadh
Roundtable Discussion with UN Tourism and Inaar
28 October, 2025
Middle East
Pagination
Latest Region News
September 24, 2025
UN Tourism to Open ‘Tourism Law Observatory’ in the Middle East
The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is set to establish a Tourism Law Observatory for the Middle East. This pioneering initiative will support the development and harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks for tourism across the region.
September 10, 2025
UN Tourism Hosts First Regional Workshop on Wellness Tourism in the Middle East
UN Tourism held the first Workshop on Wellness Tourism in the Middle East, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and developing innovative, wellness-focused tourism products.
April 09, 2025
UN Tourism and UNCTAD Unveil Guiding Principles for Sustainable Investment in Tourism
UN Tourism and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have set out a shared roadmap for building a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible tourism sector, through sustainable investments.
February 13, 2025
Middle East Members back UN Tourism’s Vision for the Region as Education and Sports Tourism Leader
UN Tourism’s Member States from across the Middle East have met again to guide the continued growth of the sector across the region. The 51st session of the Regional Commission welcomed high-level delegations from 13 Member States, including eight Ministers of Tourism to assess achievements, analyse sector trends and focus on key priorities.
December 16, 2024
Abu Dhabi Awarded UN Tourism QUEST Certification for Excellence in Destination Management
UN Tourism has recognized the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi) for its excellence in destination management.
October 30, 2024
UN Tourism Celebrates Excellence and Innovation at Qatar Tourism Awards
UN Tourism and Qatar Tourism have again joined to celebrate the best in innovation and excellence in service.
June 11, 2024
UN Tourism partners with UAE on integrated e-platform for Governing Body meetings
UN Tourism will make use of a new electronic voting system for the meetings of its key statutory meetings and other meetings of its Governing Bodies.
June 10, 2024
Launch of the Second Edition of Qatar Tourism Awards!
UN Tourism joined Qatar Tourism for the launch of the 2nd edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards at Rexios Premium Qetaifan Island North in Doha. This initiative celebrates excellence in the tourism sector, recognizing outstanding achievements, innovations and individuals that contribute to making Qatar a top global destination.
International Development and Cooperation
May 23, 2024
UN Tourism Launches the Tourism Investment Guidelines for Jordan
UN Tourism has presented a new volume of its “Tourism Doing Business: Investment Guidelines”, this time with a focus on the investment potential of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
May 23, 2024
UN Tourism Connects Leaders for Investment Conference Focused on Middle East Opportunities
Public-private partnerships can stimulate investment into tourism and help drive the sector’s transformation across the Middle East.