Oman to Host 50th UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East
Oman, through the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, is set to host the 50th UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East from May 22 to May 24. The event will also feature a conference on ‘Investing in Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainable Financing’.
The opening ceremony, under the patronage of H H Sayyid Taimur bin Asaad al Said, aims to highlight Oman’s tourism sector and cultural components, while strengthening regional relations. The conference will address challenges and opportunities related to sustainable financing in the tourism industry.
In 2023, the Middle East exceeded pre-pandemic levels with a 122% increase in international tourist arrivals, reaching 87.1 million visitors. With global tourism expected to grow significantly by 2030, there is a need for substantial investments to meet the demand for tourism-related services and infrastructure while ensuring economic, social, and environmental benefits.
This requires a collaborative approach across various sectors and government levels, with industry input and support. Sustainable investment will play a key role in managing the increasing tourist flows in the region.