Qatar Shines at UN Tourism General Assembly 2025, Leading the Charge in AI-Powered Tourism and Sustainable Growth – Travel And Tour World

Report on Qatar’s Participation in the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly

Introduction

This report details the participation of the State of Qatar in the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 11, 2025. The assembly convened delegations from over 160 member states to address the future of the global tourism sector. The Qatari delegation was led by HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism. The event served as a critical platform for international dialogue on tourism development, with a primary focus on technological innovation and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Focus on Innovation and Sustainable Development Goals

Aligning with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The central theme of the assembly, “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future,” directly addresses the objectives of SDG 9. Discussions centered on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation on the tourism industry. The strategic agenda focused on leveraging technological advancements to build resilient infrastructure and foster sustainable industrialization within the tourism sector.

• Qatar’s participation underscores its commitment to integrating advanced technologies like AI to enhance tourism operations and visitor experiences.
• The assembly explored how digital transformation can create more efficient, sustainable, and innovative tourism models, contributing to the targets of SDG 9.

Promoting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Qatar’s engagement at the assembly reflects its national strategy, outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritizes sustainable economic growth and diversification. The development of a robust and technologically advanced tourism sector is a key component of this vision, directly contributing to SDG 8.

1. By fostering an innovative tourism industry, Qatar aims to create sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
2. The integration of AI and digital tools is expected to generate new, high-value employment opportunities, promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Commitment to Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism

Advancing SDG 11 and SDG 12: Sustainable Communities and Responsible Practices

Qatar’s tourism development model emphasizes sustainability, seeking to create a destination that provides long-term benefits to its population and environment. This approach is in direct support of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Preservation of Heritage: The national tourism strategy includes measures to safeguard cultural and natural heritage, a key target of SDG 11.
• Responsible Tourism: Discussions highlighted the need for tourism practices that respect local communities and ecosystems, aligning with the principles of responsible consumption and production under SDG 12.
• Inclusive Development: Qatar’s vision promotes an inclusive tourism model that ensures benefits are shared equitably among its communities.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The UN Tourism General Assembly functions as a critical mechanism for strengthening global partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17. Qatar utilized the platform to enhance collaboration with international partners, share best practices, and contribute to a unified global approach to sustainable tourism.

1. Qatar’s active participation strengthens its relationships with other nations and international organizations.
2. Collaborative efforts are essential for addressing global challenges and creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism growth.
3. By sharing resources and expertise, these partnerships accelerate the achievement of the SDGs within the global tourism industry.

Concluding Summary

Qatar’s presence at the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly demonstrates a firm commitment to shaping a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future for global tourism. The nation’s focus on AI-powered solutions and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDGs 8, 9, 11, 12, and 17—position it as a key contributor to the evolution of the international tourism landscape. Through strategic partnerships and a forward-thinking national vision, Qatar is actively working to ensure that the future of tourism is both technologically advanced and fundamentally sustainable.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Qatar’s participation in the UN Tourism General Assembly highlights issues and initiatives that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary themes of sustainable tourism, economic growth, technological innovation, and international cooperation directly align with the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article focuses on tourism as a driver for “economic growth” and “economic diversification.” It discusses Qatar’s efforts to position itself as a “leading global tourism destination,” which inherently involves creating jobs and fostering economic activity.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The central theme of the assembly, “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future,” and Qatar’s commitment to “leveraging technological innovation” and “digital transformation” directly relate to fostering innovation and upgrading industrial and infrastructural capabilities.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article repeatedly emphasizes Qatar’s commitment to “sustainable tourism practices,” “responsible tourism that respects both people and the environment,” and creating a “sustainable tourism sector.” This aligns with the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article describes the UN Tourism General Assembly as a “platform for international dialogue” and highlights Qatar’s efforts to “strengthen global partnerships and collaborations” with “other nations, international organizations, and industry stakeholders.” This directly reflects the spirit of global partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific actions and goals mentioned in the article, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article explicitly states that Qatar’s tourism strategies emphasize “sustainable development” and aim to create a “dynamic, sustainable tourism sector that contributes to both economic growth and cultural exchange.”
2. Target 9.b: “Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries…” The article’s focus on “AI-Powered Tourism” and Qatar’s ambition to “integrate technology to enhance its tourism offerings” and “leverage technological innovation, including AI” directly supports this target of fostering domestic innovation.
3. Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism…” Qatar’s commitment to “advancing sustainable tourism practices” and aligning its strategies with the “Qatar National Vision 2030” implies the development and implementation of national policies and frameworks to guide and monitor sustainable tourism, which is the core of this target.
4. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article highlights that Qatar’s participation in the assembly provides a “valuable opportunity to collaborate with international partners” and strengthen relationships with “other nations, international organizations, and industry stakeholders.” This active engagement in a multi-stakeholder platform is a clear example of this target in action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not provide quantitative data, it implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Implied Indicator for Target 8.9: The article mentions Qatar’s goal to become a “leading global tourism destination” contributing to “economic growth.” This implies progress could be measured by the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy, aligning with official indicator 8.9.1 (Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate).
• Implied Indicator for Target 9.b: The focus on “AI-powered tourism” and “digital transformation” suggests that progress can be measured by the level of technological integration in the tourism sector. An implied indicator would be the level of investment in and adoption of AI and other digital technologies by tourism-related businesses and services.
• Implied Indicator for Target 12.b: The article states that Qatar’s tourism strategies are aligned with its “long-term national vision, Qatar National Vision 2030.” This points to the existence of a national sustainable tourism strategy. This aligns with indicator 12.b.1 (Number of sustainable tourism strategies or policies and implemented action plans with agreed monitoring and evaluation tools).
• Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: Qatar’s active “participation in the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly” and its engagement in “high-level discussions” to “collaborate with international partners” serve as a qualitative indicator of its commitment to global partnerships. Progress could be measured by the number and quality of international collaborations and partnerships formed to advance sustainable tourism.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com