Saudi Arabia Takes the Lead in Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a pioneer in sustainable tourism projects in an effort to restructure its tourist business and address climate change concerns. Former UN World tourist Organization Secretary-General Taleb Rifai stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia's commitment to tackling climate change in the context of tourist growth.

Rifai, speaking at an international travel sustainability forum in London, emphasized the Arab region's lack of understanding about climate change. He chastised the UNWTO for not taking enough leadership in tackling climate change and biodiversity challenges in the travel and tourism business, which accounts for around 8% of the world's carbon footprint.

Rifai praised conferences such as the RESET travel sustainability summit for its role in teaching and establishing norms for sustainable travel practices. He emphasized the significance of regional cooperation in making climate change a priority in the Arab community.

The Arab International Women's Forum's founder, Haifa Al-Kaylani, lauded the increased engagement of women entrepreneurs in the Arab area, notably in the travel and tourism industry. She emphasized the significance of women in promoting ecotourism and sustainability, citing examples from Jordan, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Oman.

Al-Kaylani recognized Saudi Arabia's substantial progress in boosting women's involvement in numerous areas, particularly the thriving tourist industry. She referenced a World Bank research that projected a 30% participation rate by 2030, a target that has already been met with a current rate of 37%.

Despite the Gulf nations' gains, Al-Kaylani urged for more efforts from governments, the commercial sector, and civil society to further empower women throughout the region. She underlined the importance of legislative backing, education, and ongoing investments in order to improve women's possibilities.

TLC (Total Life Cycle) creator Nicki Page stressed the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the tourist business and chastised the UNWTO for its apparent inability to offer effective leadership throughout the crisis. Page campaigned for global cooperation and emphasized Saudi Arabia's ability to lead a sustainable tourism revolution.

Page challenged Gulf women, who are well-known for their power in the luxury sector, to push the sustainable agenda by making decisions that are consistent with certified sustainability standards. She urged greater engagement from regional investment funds and luxury project owners to promote Gulf environmental projects, highlighting the importance of the younger generation in pushing good change.

Saudi Arabia is prepared to set a worldwide example for sustainable travel practices as it continues to invest in its tourism sector, with women playing a critical role in determining the industry's future.