DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Twenty-three of 34 voting countries for the executive council of the United Nations Tourism gave a yes to Shaikha Al Nowais to become the next Secretary-General from 2026. The position still needs to be confirmed by the UN Tourism General Assembly in November 2025.

Following protocol, the executive council elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General, to begin in January 2026. The nomination represents a landmark first for the sector, as the first woman leader of UN Tourism in its 50-year history.

Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an Emirati business leader with over 16 years of experience in global hospitality. As corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels, she has overseen owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. A graduate of Zayed University in Finance, she also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Tourism Working Group and serves...