Kuwait’s recent election as the President of the World Tourism Organization’s (WTO) Regional Committee for the Middle East has firmly established the country as a key player on the global tourism stage. Basma Al-Mayman, the Director of the Regional Department for the Middle East at the World Tourism Organization, made this statement on Wednesday after Kuwait’s unanimous election during the 51st meeting of the committee held in Doha last week.
Al-Mayman described this election as a historic achievement for Kuwait, marking its significant influence in shaping tourism policies for the Middle East. She emphasized that Kuwait will play a pivotal role in crafting international recommendations that will be presented to the Executive Council and General Assembly, alongside proposals from other global regions.
As a founding member of the organization, Kuwait’s leadership of the regional committee reflects the trust and confidence of Middle Eastern countries. This new position solidifies the country’s standing as a key decision-maker in the tourism industry worldwide.
Al-Mayman also commended Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism sector, noting the country’s growing recognition of tourism as a promising industry that can complement the oil sector, particularly in oil-producing nations. She shared her experiences from two visits to Kuwait, where she gained insight into the nation’s ambitious tourism development plans.
One notable example of Kuwait’s growing tourism sector was its successful hosting of the recent Gulf Cup Football Championship (Gulf 26). Al-Mayman pointed out that the event not only showcased Kuwait’s exceptional organizational capabilities but also had a significant positive impact on local tourism facilities, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding 99% during the event.
In the same meeting, Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Culture, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, was nominated as Chairman of the Committee. He underscored the importance of innovative plans and initiatives to strengthen the tourism sector, while promoting greater collaboration among member states to enhance regional tourism.
Notably, Basma Al-Mayman of Saudi Arabia also made history by becoming the first Gulf official and the first Arab woman to hold an official position within the World Tourism Organization, a groundbreaking achievement for the region.
