Overview
- The confirmation came by majority vote of more than 160 countries during the UNWTO’s 26th General Assembly in Riyadh.
- Coverage states her mandate starts in 2026, with reports differing on the end date, citing either 2029 or 2030.
- She is identified as the first Emirati and the first woman to lead the UNWTO since its founding.
- In her address, she set five priorities for the mandate: responsible tourism, capacity building, technology for good, innovative financing, and smart governance.
- Al Nowais, a former Rotana Hotels executive and Abu Dhabi tourism leader, thanked outgoing chief Zurab Pololikashvili as the UAE delegation led by Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri welcomed the vote.