Leadership of Education and Sports Tourism in the Middle East
The Middle East continues to progress in the realms of education and sports tourism as shown in recent meetings hosted by UN Tourism. During the 51st session of the Regional Commission, representatives from 13 Member States, including eight Ministers of Tourism, convened to review industry growth and future outlooks.
Record Recovery Post-Pandemic
The Middle East has distinguished itself as the fastest recovering region globally, achieving noteworthy tourism targets, with Qatar aiming for 6 million annual tourists.
“The Middle East stands out as one of the most exciting places for tourism right now. The region is a leader in luxury tourism, wellness, and sports tourism.”
—Zurab Pololikashvili
Educational Advancements
Over 30,000 students, predominantly women, are enrolled in the UN Tourism Online Academy, which facilitates various courses in partnership with notable academies, including recent curricula from Saudi Arabia.
- Implementation of the UN Tourism Education Toolkit in UAE high schools.
- Introduction of new e-learning courses and AI integration in collaboration with Saudi Arabia.
Sports Tourism as a Growth Pillar
With successful events like the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, sports tourism has emerged as a critical sector for economic diversification in Doha and beyond.
Future Cooperation
Kuwait has been appointed Chair of the Regional Commission for 2025-27, with Qatar and Iraq stepping in as vice-chairs. Future meetings will continue to coordinate educational and tourism development efforts across the Middle East.
The next 52nd Regional Commission is slated for 2026 in Kuwait.
