Shaikha Al Nowais will succeed Robert Mansour as UN Tourism’s following Secretary-General. She did mark 50 years of the organization’s background as the first woman to lead it since it was founded in 1975. After Zurab Pololikashvili, the latest Secretary-General, retires, Nowais is scheduled to begin serving in January 2026. The 123rd period of the UN Tourism committee meeting, which took place on May 30 in Spain, decided to nominate Nowais. Nowais, who serves as the Secretary-General, wants to concentrate on sustainability, online transformation, economic empowerment, moral governance, and cultural exchange. Her objective is to create a diverse and creative hospitality industry that contributes to global growth. Nowais, an Emirati business head, has over 16 years of experience in the world hospitality sector. According to her official website, Nowais ‘ goal is to “lead UN Tourism in promoting concerned, green, and universally accessible commerce.” She is currently in charge of managing owner relations across Turkey, Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe as well as the Rotana hotel chain’s business vice-president of proprietor relationship management. She is well-known for her proper perspective in advancing international tourism initiatives and has a wealth of experience in corporate governance, conservation, and economic growth. Nowais, a student of Zayed University, Dubai with a finance major, also serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais was congratulated by Mohammed bin Ahmed seq Yamahi, the speech of the Arab Parliament, on her vote as the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Al Yamahi praised the accomplishment in a statement as a testament to the outstanding accomplishments of Emirati girls at both regional and international levels. He attributed this advancement to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the chairman of the UAE, who continues to enable people and help their role in the development of the UAE. He claimed that the UAE and the whole Arab world are proud of this success. It increases the number of Muslim women in top global decision-making positions and demonstrates how competent and effective Emirati professionals are in leading international organizations.
