Saudi Arabia Champions AI and Sustainable Growth at UN Tourism Regional Commission in Kuwait City

Minister Al-Khateeb Addresses Regional Tourism Leaders

Kuwait City, Kuwait – Saudi Arabia's Tourism Minister, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, delivered a key address at the 52nd UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East, held from February 10 to 12, 2026, in Kuwait City. The Minister championed the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainable growth initiatives to foster a more resilient and future-ready global tourism ecosystem.

Speaking at the three-day gathering, Al-Khateeb underscored tourism's significant role as a 'massive engine of economic development,' noting its estimated contribution of over $10 trillion to the global GDP, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the world economy. He called for enhanced international collaboration to build an integrated and resilient tourism sector.

AI as a Catalyst for Responsible Innovation

A central theme of the commission was 'Promoting Tourism Through Artificial Intelligence,' a focus that Minister Al-Khateeb directly addressed. He emphasized the necessity of responsible innovation in adopting AI, stressing that while AI offers powerful tools for growth and efficiency, the 'human touch' inherent in hospitality must remain paramount, and the workforce must be protected.

Saudi Arabia views AI not merely as a supporting technology but as a strategic enabler for its tourism ecosystem, aligning with its ambitious Vision 2030. The Kingdom is actively integrating smart technologies, including AI for personalized trip planning, biometric systems for streamlined travel, IoT-enabled controls in accommodations, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for immersive storytelling at cultural and entertainment sites. These applications aim to optimize travel itineraries, forecast demand, and enhance operational efficiency across various tourism touchpoints.

Middle East's Tourism Resurgence and Saudi Arabia's Leadership

Minister Al-Khateeb highlighted the remarkable recovery of the Middle East's tourism sector, with international arrivals surging by 39 percent in 2025 compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, welcoming nearly 100 million visitors last year. He proudly stated that Saudi Arabia is a driving force behind these regional statistics, representing approximately 30 percent of the Middle East tourism market in both visitor numbers and spending.

The Kingdom has surpassed its initial target of 100 million visitors and has now set an even more ambitious goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030, aiming to diversify its economy away from oil revenues. This commitment is further demonstrated by an investment of over $500 billion in creating eco-friendly travel destinations. Initiatives like the pilot launch of 'Sarah,' an AI Tourism Assistant, and a Digital Tourism Strategy leveraging AI and data, are central to achieving these goals.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The discussions at the 52nd UN Tourism Regional Commission also reinforced the commitment to sustainable development within the tourism sector. The commission's objectives include fostering education, capacity building, rural development, and innovation across the region. The event in Kuwait City marked the first regional commission since the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, hosted in Riyadh, which produced the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism. This declaration codified a commitment to the responsible adoption of human-centric AI, setting a trajectory for the industry's future. Saudi Arabia has also pledged to achieve net-zero emissions in tourism by 2030.