Page 281 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

UAE’s Shaikha Al Nowais Nominated as First Female

Head of UN Tourism

Mona Yousef August 17, 2025

Breaking the gender barriers in global tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais of the United Arab
Emirates has been nominated—and elected by the UN Tourism Executive Council—to serve as the
next Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Her appointment, pending formal confirmation by the
General Assembly, will mark the first time a woman leads the organization in its 50-year history. Al
Nowais’s term will begin in January 2026 and will run through 2029.

With over 16 years of experience in hospitality and tourism, Al Nowais currently serves as Corporate
Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana Hotels. In this role, she oversees
stakeholder relations, governance frameworks, and sustainability initiatives across the Middle East,
Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye. Her leadership extends beyond the private sector—she also
chairs the Tourism Working Group at the Abu Dhabi Chamber, is a board member of the Abu Dhabi
Businesswomen Council, and sits on both the UAE Tourism Council Advisory Board and the Board
of Trustees at Les Roches Hospitality Academy.

https://top50women.com/43599-2/