UN Tourism is launching a dedicated Tourism Law Observatory in the Middle East to streamline tourism regulations and improve legal frameworks across the region.
RIYADH: The World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) is establishing a first-of-its-kind Tourism Law Observatory for the Middle East, aiming to strengthen and harmonise tourism legislation across the region.
Designed as a regional knowledge hub and digital platform, the Observatory will collect, analyse, and distribute up-to-date information on tourism-related laws and regulations. The platform will be supported by a network of legal experts and academic partners, who will also contribute to research, publications, and thought-leadership events including seminars and conferences.
This initiative is a part of UN Tourism’s broader flagship programme, approved at its 25th General Assembly, to launch observatories in each of its five global regions. These legal hubs aim to create uniformity in Tourism Law at an international level, enhancing legal clarity and fostering growth in the sector.
Key objectives of the Observatory include enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, promoting cross-border cooperation among tourism stakeholders, and optimising governance within the tourism industry. According to UN Tourism, the platform will help countries share legal best practices, address shared challenges, and implement more effective, modern policies for the fast-evolving tourism landscape.
The new observatory follows the successful launch of a similar initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean. That regional office was developed in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank and is currently based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Now advancing its Middle East efforts, UN Tourism will establish the new Observatory through its Regional Office located in the region. Once operational, it is expected to serve as a vital tool for aligning tourism laws, promoting collaboration, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Middle East as a travel destination.
