“The tourism sector lost an estimated 62 million jobs globally during the global pandemic. COVID-19 highlighted the vulnerability of the sector – not only to pandemics, but also, to the effects of extreme weather. Addressing climate change is at the heart of building a more resilient tourism industry, and there is no resilience without sustainability. We must work collaboratively to put sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of inclusive recovery to ensure long-term sector resilience – for people and planet. Only by doing these things together will we ensure a better and more resilient future for the millions of people around the world who rely on tourism.” 

–HE Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the critical need to accelerate climate action to ensure a sustainable future for the tourism sector. [Ministry of Tourism]