US EditionGreek Candidate Misses Out on UNWTO Chair
- Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais was elected Secretary-General of the UNWTO on May 30, 2025, during the 123rd Executive Council session in Madrid, Spain.
- The vote followed a contested race involving six candidates, including Greek contender Harry Theoharis, amid UNWTO membership withdrawals and prior concerns about term limits.
- Al Nowais brings over 16 years of hospitality experience, currently serving as Executive Vice President at Rotana Hotels and chairing Abu Dhabi's Tourism Working Group.
- She secured 24 votes in the second round, surpassing the required 18 from 35 council members, and stated her leadership represents “inclusivity,” “innovation,” and “resilience.”
- Her appointment, pending ratification by the November UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh, would make her the first woman to lead the agency from 2026 to 2029, marking historic progress for gender and regional representation.
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Shaikha Al Nowais has more than 16 years of experience in corporate management, sustainability and economic development.His nomination as UN Secretary General Tourism should be ratified by the General Assembly in November in Riyadh.
Shaikha Al Nowais Becomes First Female Secretary-General of UN Tourism
NEW YORK, USA – In a groundbreaking decision, the Council has elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the next secretary-general, set to take office in January 2026. This nomination, which will be presented to the UN Tourism General Assembly for approval, marks a pivotal milestone as she will be the first woman to lead UN Tourism in its 50-year history. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an accomplished Emirati business leader with over 16 years of expertise in g…
The election of Emirati Shaikha Al Nowais as leader of UN Tourism, former WTO, has been a surprise to some in the face of Mexican Gloria Guevara, supported by the president of her country, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, sending both to the vote their respective secretaries of the field. In the first ballot, Al Nowais collected 16 votes, in front of the 11 of Harry Theoharis (Greece), the six of Gloria Guevara a…
UN Tourism appoints first female Secretary-General in historic move
In a historic development for international tourism governance, UN Tourism has nominated Shaikha Al Nowais as its next Secretary-General, marking the first time a woman will lead the organisation since its establishment. The appointment, confirmed by the UN Tourism Executive Council at its 123rd session, awaits final approval by the General Assembly. Al Nowais, a prominent Emirati business figure, will assume the role in January 2026, succeeding…
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais makes history as first woman to lead UN Tourism
In a landmark moment for global tourism and women’s leadership, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais has been officially nominated as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism — becoming the first woman in the organization’s 50-year history to assume the top role. The nomination took place during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council held …
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