The Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism HE Ahmed Al Khateeb posted to his Twitter profile today:

Delighted to welcome leaders from around the world to #Jeddah for the 116th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council – and share the sights of historic AlBalad. Together, we will encourage our partners, drive global recovery and forge a pathway to a better future.

Currently, the UNWTO Executive Council meeting is ongoing at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili is full of hope, according to his tweet facilitated by his top advisor Anita Mendiratta

Full of hope. That’s how I feel after today’s UNWTOEC, next to leaders firmly committed to follow
UNWTO’s vision for tourism’s recovery. There’s only one way: cooperation, innovation, and investment. UNWTO is your partner in our shared goal toward positive transformation.

Officially opened at 10.00 today and after two busy council sessions, Tuesday ended with a spectacular Saudi Arabia Style Gala Dinner at the Jeddah Yacht Club.

The meeting of UNWTO tourism readers will end Wednesday with a session entitled: Thematic session on “Tourism Futures – New Governance and Advocacy”

An optimistic Tourism Barometer report on the Future of Tourism was released by UNWTO two days ago.

For the 116th session, UNWTO submitted the following documents for discussion.

List of participants for the ongoing UNWTO Executive Council session in Jeddah.

Mr. Reza Goudarzi Taemeh Int’l. Affairs Officer Abasabad Renovation Company
Mr. Salman Gasim CEO AHLEI Saudi Arabia
Mr. Alexander Rayner Director Government & Destination Relations Amadeus
Mr. Ebrahim Alkhalifa Deputy Director Arab Regional Centre For World
Ms. MARIA TERESA ALMANSILLA RODRIGUEZ RESPONSABLE DE ESTRATEGIA Y RELACIÓN CON ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL
Ms. MAR DE MIGUEL COLOM Vicepresidenta Ejecutiva AEHM/Presidenta de la ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL
Mr. EMMANUEL FRIMPONG EXECUTIVE SECRETARY GHANA TOURISM FEDERATION
Ms. MARIA VALCARCE DIRECTORA FITUR IFEMA MADRID
Ms. ANA LARRAÑAGA DIRECTORA IFEMA, FERIA DE MADRID/FITUR
Ms. Rusudan Mamatsashvili Regulation and Planning NEOM
Mr. Diego Fabregas Director Netcom
Mr. Gabriel Rodriguez Director Netcom
Mr. Juan Francisco Rodriguez Director Netcom
Mr. Siim Esko Head of Sales Positium
Mr. Abdullah Alzahrani Brand and Marketing Executive Director The Red Sea Development
Ms. Tracy Wirth Lanza Group Head of Global Branding and Marketing The Red Sea Development
Mr. Yassine Hamadi Ministre du Tourisme et de l’Artisanat Ministère re du Tourisme et de Algeria
Mr. Mohamed Ali BOUGHAZI Ambassadeur Ambassade d’Algerie à Riyadh Algeria
Mr. Boukabous Ghoulam Allah DG ANDT Ministère re du Tourisme et de Algeria
Mr. mohamed amine zmit media relations manager ministry of tourism and Algeria
Mr. Mohamed El Hadi MECHERI Deputy Consul Algeria Consulat in Jeddah Algeria
Mr. Ahmed Mourad MERHOUM Consul General of Algeria in Jeddah Algerian Consulate Algeria
Mr. Miloud Sayad chargé du dossier OMT Ministère des Affaires Algeria
Ms. Assia Zach sous directrice de la Coopération Ministère du Tourisme et de Algeria
Mr. CHEMS EDDINE HABTOUN Advisor of Minister MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND Algeria
Ms. Asma Moulay Directrice de la communication et de la Ministère re du Tourisme et de Algeria
Mr. Matias Lammens Minister of Tourism and Sports Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Mr. Leandro Martin Balasini Undersecretary for Institutional Relations and Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Ms. Yanina Alejandra Martinez Secretary of Tourism Promotion Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Ms. Ana Ines Garcia Allievi Foreign Affairs Director Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Ms. Victoria Siano Operational Director Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Ms. Yanina Daniela Medina Assistant Secretary of Tourism Promotion Argentina
Mr. Alejandro Obeid General Director for Institutional Ministry of Tourism and Sports Argentina
Ms. Sona Hovhannisyan Head Tourism Committee of the Armenia
Mr. Sos Avetisyan Embajador Embajada de la República de Armenia
Ms. Sisian Boghossian Chairperson Tourism Committee of the Armenia
Ms. Nouneh Zastoukhova Director Ministry of Foreign Affairs Armenia
Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry of Industry, Commerce Bahrain
Mr. Nasser Ali Yousif Qaedi CEO Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Bahrain
Mr. NAJI MAHBOOB ALDOSERI PUBLIC RELATION Ministry of Industry, Commerce Bahrain
Mr. Carlos Brito Minister of Tourism of Brazil Ministry of Tourism Brazil
Mr. Rafael Luisi Advisor to the President Embratur Brazil
Mr. Heitor Kadri National Secretary of Investment Attraction Ministry of Tourism of Brazil Brazil
Mr. Sergio Rodrigues Chief of Protocol Ministry of Tourism Brazil
Ms. Livia Nascimento Press Adivsor Ministry of Tourism of Brazil Brazil
Mr. Vital Florencio Press Adivsor Ministry of Tourism of Brazil Brazil
Mr. Gustavo Torres adviser Ministry of Tourism of Brazil Brazil
Mr. Silvio Nascimento President of Embratur Embratur BrazilMr. Roberto
Castro Photographer Ministry of Tourism of Brazil Brazil
Mr. Humberto Elisio Santos Lélis President Ministry of Tourism and Cabo Verde
Mr. Pedro Tavares Moreira Special Advisor to the Minister Ministry of Tourism and Cabo Verde
Ms. PEIYU XU Consular Attache Consulate-General of the China
Mr. Siandou FOFANA Ministre du Tourisme et des Loisirs de Côte Ministère du tourisme et des Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. AMENAN FREDERIQUE ADA-KOUASSI Chef de Cabinet Ministère du Tourisme Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. MAFERIMA DIARRASSOUBA DIRECTEUR GENERAL SOCIETE DES PALACES DE Côte d’Ivoire
Mr. Fagama Klo Directeur Général de l’Industrie Touristique et Ministère du tourisme Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. AURELIA DIAKITE COTY CONSEILLER TECHNIQUE MINUSTERE DU TOURISME ET Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. laetitia M’BAHIA BLE Conseiller technique Ministère du tourisme et des Côte d’Ivoire
Mr. MARCEL KOUADIO N’GUETTIA Président du Fonds de Développement Ministère du tourisme et des Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. N’Gnimah Marcelle Isabelle ANOH Directeur Général des loisirs Ministère du Tourisme et des Côte d’Ivoire
Mr. Tonči Glavina State Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Sport Croatia
Mr. Ivan Divić Head of Department for Bilateral Cooperation Ministry of Tourism and Sport Croatia
Ms. Jelena Letica Head of Sector for International Cooperation Ministry of Tourism and Sport Croatia
Mr. Carlos Andrés Peguero Rivera Viceministro de Cooperación Internacional Ministerio de Turismo de la Dominican Republic
Mr. Anibal De Castro Ambassador Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic
Ms. Fanny Groz Conseillère développement international du Ministère de l’Europe et des France
Mr. Mostafa MIHRAJE Consul Général de France à Djeddah Consulat Général de France à France
Ms. Mariam Kvrivishvili Deputy Minister Ministry of Economy and Georgia
Ms. Tamar Koriauli First Deputy Head Georgian National Tourism Georgia
Ms. ana Gochashvili Head of Pr department GNTA Georgia
Mr. Luka Mamulaidze Cameraman Georgian national tourism GeorgiaMs.
SOFIA ZACHARAKI DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM MINISTRY OF TOURISM Greece
Mr. Theodoros Thalassinos TOURISM OFFICER IN THE GREEK MINISTRY OF GREEK MINISTRY OF TOURSM Greece
Mr. Ioannis Georgiou Advisor to the Deputy Minister Ministry of Tourism Greece
Ms. Anayansy Rodríguez Castillo Ministra Instituto Guatemalteco de Guatemala
Mr. Jose Bassila Commercial Counsellor Embassy of Guatemala Guatemala
Mr. Simone Landini Diplomatic Advisor MInistry of Tourism Italy
Mr. Masateru Nakamura Chief Official Japan Tourism Agency Japan
Mr. Tomohiro Kaneko Vice Commissioner Japan Tourism Agency Japan
Mr. Najib Balala Minister Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife Kenya
Mr. STEPHEN KINYANJUI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND Kenya
Mr. DANCAN GACHIHI PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND Kenya
Mr. Richard Langat TRI, Board Chairman Tourism Research Institute Kenya
Mr. Richard Opembe Embajador Embajada de Kenia Kenya
Mr. Hussein Muhamad Counsellor Embassy of Kenya, Riyadh Kenya
Mr. David Gitonga Ag. CEO, Tourism Research Institute Tourism Research Institute Kenya
Mr. DAVIES KIPTUI Minister AIDE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND Kenya
Mr. AUGUSTINE MILLER OUNDO DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MINISTRY OF TOURISM,KENYA Kenya
Mr. Peter Ogego Ambassador Embassy of Kenya, Riyadh Kenya
Mr. Said Mtwana Athman Tourism Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Kenya
Mr. John Kiilu Second secretary Kenya Embassy , Riyadh Kenya
Ms. Fatuma Hull Chief Of Staff Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife Kenya
Ms. Jeniffer Musango Ag. Manager, Data and Knowledge Tourism Research Institute Kenya
Mr. JOOMUN MOHAMMAD SALIM FERHAT PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TOURISM Mauritius
Mr. PAYEN DONALD EMMANUEL SENIOR ADVISOR MINISTRY OF TOURISM Mauritius
Ms. Hasnae Zerrouq Directrice de la Stratégie et de la Coopération Ministère du Tourisme, de Morocco
Mr. Omar DINIA Chef de la Division de la Coopération Ministère du Tourisme, de Morocco
Mr. Adil BENSOUDA Chef du Service des Organisations Spécialisées Ministère du Tourisme, de Morocco
Mr. Mustapha Mansouri Ambassade Diplomat Morocco
Ms. Eldevina Materula Minister Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mozambique
Ms. Gisela Malauene Nhantumbo Deputy Director of Tourism Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mozambique
Mr. Candido Langa National Director of Tourism Ministry of Tourism of Mozambique
Mr. Nuno Fortes Tourism Investment Director INATUR – MOZAMBIQUE Mozambique
Ms. Analádya Loureiro Advisor Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mozambique
Ms. Ndiça Massinga Jaime Permanent Secretary Ministry of culture and tourism Mozambique
Ms. Rita Marques Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Ministry of Economy and Sea Portugal
Ms. Catarina Sousa Pinto Advisor Turismo de Portugal Portugal
Mr. Nuno Mathias Ambassador of Portugal to the Kingdom of Embassy of Portugal in Riyadh Portugal
Mr. Filipe Silva Board Member Turismo de Portugal, I.P. Portugal
Mr. Byoung-jin HAN Consul General Consulate General of the Republic of Korea
Ms. IN HWA KWON Second Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea Republic of Korea
Mr. Jubran Hadadi Head of Protocol Ministry of Tourism of The Saudi Arabia
Mr. Mohammed Alfaraj Protocol Advisor Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia
Mr. Majed Almutairi General Director Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia
Ms. princess Haifa Al Saud Assistant Minister of Tourism Ministry of Tourism of The Saudi Arabia
Mr. Hussam Al Harbi International Relations Senior Specialist Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia
Ms. Sara Al Saud Advisor Ministry of Tourism of The Saudi Arabia
Mr. Jose Lopez Engagement Manager Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia
Mr. Musaad Alfahad Office Manager of Assistant Minister Ministry Saudi Arabia
Ms. Razan Yousef Multilateral Affairs Manager Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia
Ms. Renad Amjad Director of Multilateral Affairs Department Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Saudi Arabia
Mr. Alioune Sarr Ministre du Tourisme et des Transports Ministère du Tourisme et des Senegal
Mr. Amdy Sene Conseiller Ministère du tourisme et du Senegal
Ms. MARIAME SY Ambassadeur Ambassade du Sénégal en Senegal
Ms. Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu Minister of Tourism Government South Africa
Mr. Mphumzi Mdekazi Advisor Government South Africa
Ms. Anemé Malan Deputy Director-General Department of Tourism South Africa
Ms. Nikiwe Magqabi PA Government South Africa
Mr. Beza Bomanye Ntshona Chief of staff Government South Africa
Mr. Mutshutshu Johannes Rantete Advisor to the Minister Government South Africa
Ms. REYES MAROTO MINISTRA MINISTERIO DE INDUSTRIA, Spain
Mr. Sufyan BARHOUM NAJJAR Oficial Traductor MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS Spain
Mr. ALEJANDRO BELTRÁN GARCÍA CONSEJERO TÉCNICO MINISTERIO DE INDUSTRIA, Spain
Mr. JORGE HEVIA SIERRA EMBAJADOR DE ESPAÑA EN ARABIA SAUDÍ MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS Spain
Mr. Jorge Esteban Arlegui Vocal Asesor Gabinete de la Ministra Spain
Mr. JOSÉ VICENTE PÉREZ LÓPEZ CONSEJERO ECONOMICO Y COMERCIAL MINISTERIO DE COMERCIO, Spain
Mr. Félix De Paz García Subdirector General de Cooperación y Mº de Industria, Comercio y SpainMr. JUAN IGNACIO DIAZ BIDART DIRECTOR GABINETE
MINISTRA MINISTERIAL Spain
Mr. Chote Trachu Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand
Ms. Aueladda Ninlawat Plan and Policy Analyst, Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand
Mr. Gun Puntuhong International Affairs Officer Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand
Mr. CHAREEF YOTHASMUTH Consul (Economic Affairs) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand
Mr. NATTHAPHOL SONJAROON First Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand
Mr. Panupak Pongatichat Director of the International Affairs Division Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand
Ms. Siramon Sopha International Affairs Officer Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand
Mr. Mohamed El Moez Belhassine ministre ministère du tourisme Tunisia
Ms. mouna mathlouthi ghliss directeur general Ministry of tourism Tunisia
Mr. Habib Ayed consul general consulat general de TUNISIE a Tunisia
Mr. Walid Chakroun Consul Consulat général de Tunisie a Tunisia
Mr. Serdar Çam Deputy Minister Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey
Mr. Salih Yürç Chief of the Cabinet Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey
Ms. Başak Önsal Demir Multilateral Relations Coordinator/ UNWTO Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey
Ms. Lütfiye Selva Çam Parliamentarian Turkish Grand National Assembly Turkey
Mr. Yahya Kemal Tunca Deputy Chief of Cabinet Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey
Mr. Hakan Ergün Advisor to the Deputy Minister Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey
Mr. H.E. Dr. Thani Ahmed AlZeyoudi Minister of State for Foreign Trade United Arab Emirates Ministry United Arab Emirates
Mr. Ammar Sajwani Director Ministry of Economy United Arab Emirates
Mr. Faisal Al Hammadi Acting Assistant Undersecretary Ministry of Economy United Arab Emirates
Mr. Rhodine Sikumba Hon. Minister of Tourism Ministry of Tourism Zambia
Ms. Twaambo Muzyamba Regional Tourism Development Coordinator Ministry of Tourism Zambia
Mr. Kaitisha Felix First Secretary Tourism/UNWTO Liaison
Officer Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Ms. Christine Mwelwa Kaseba- Sata H.E, Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Mr. Muhammad Adam Ambassador and Permanent Representative Ghana Embassy, Madrid Ghana
Mr. Richard Kaempf Head of tourism policy State Secretariat for Economic Switzerland
Mr. HE Dr. BANDAR ALFEHAID President Arab Tourism Organization
Mr. KHALID REDA Assistant Secretary General Arab Tourism Organization
Mr. HE SHERIF ATTIA Secretary General Arab Tourism Organization
Mr. WALID ELHENNAWY Assistant Secretary-General for Events and Arab Tourism Organization
Mr. Bernard Metzger Founder Travelindex Group
Mr. Fahad Abuljadayel Business Reporter Arab News
Ms. Esther Barranco Redactora Agencia EFE
Mr. MAURIZIO BRAVI Permanente Observer of the Holy See to HOLY SEE
Mr. George Shanidze Founder / CEO Armlender S.L.
Mr. ALEXANDROS KONSTANTINOU FOUNDER/CFO PRM-GLOBAL
Mr. Pedro Zarzalejos Associate Director Interbrand
Mr. Guillermo Adams Fernández Presidente Nearco
Ms. Ruth Wright Head of Lifestyle Verticals Euronews
Ms. Sharanjit Leyl International Broadcaster/Moderator BBC (former)
Ms. SOFIA PANAGIOTAKI FOUNDER/CEO PRM-GLOBAL
Ms. Nancy Villanueva CEO Interbrand
Ms. weam aldakheel Journalist- TV Presenter Saudi Media Association

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

2)4(a) Report on the current status of the UNWTO Regional Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (CE/116/4(a))4(b) Legal and operational framework for the establishment of UNWTO Regional Offices (CE/116/4(b))5(a) Communication of the Chair of the Board of the Affiliate Members (CE/116/5(a) rev.
Together, we will encourage our partners, drive global recovery and forge a pathway to a better future.
Delighted to welcome leaders from around the world to #Jeddah for the 116th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council –.