A woman finally at the head of the World Tourism Organization

The United Nations Tourism Executive Board has taken a historic step by appointing Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates as the next Secretary-General of Tourism, effective January 1, 2026.

Her appointment, announced at the 123rd session of the Executive Board in Segovia, Spain, will be submitted for confirmation at the 26th United Nations Tourism Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Al Nowais has become the first woman and the first Emirati to lead the United Nations Tourism Office in its 50-year history – a landmark achievement for the global travel industry.

Building on a legacy of transformation, the Executive Board meeting reviewed eight years of leadership under Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, during which the organization redefined its global role through innovation, sustainability, and education.

Her appointment underscores UN Tourism’s commitment to inclusion and representation.

His leadership will mark the beginning of a new era focused on innovation, training and equitable development in the global tourism sector.