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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 68970, member: 636"] Shaikha Al-Nowais of the United Arab Emirates has been elected to lead the UN World Tourism Organization, becoming the first woman and first Gulf national to serve as its secretary-general. Her four-year term will commence in January 2026, following a confirmation at the General Assembly in Riyadh. The secretary-general-elect outlined five priorities for her mandate: responsible tourism, capacity building, technology for good, innovative financing, and smart governance. She described the election as a shared triumph reflecting a collective vision for a stronger global tourism sector. The appointment underscores the increasing influence of Gulf nations in international tourism. [/QUOTE]