
12/09/2025
On September 9-10, UN Tourism held the first Workshop on Wellness Tourism at the Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh. The goal was to explore the growing potential of wellness tourism as a factor in economic growth, tourism diversification, and sustainable development in the Middle East.
In his remarks, Fahad A. Al-Abdulkarim, General Director of Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, highlighted: “Hosting this regional workshop in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment, in line with Vision 2030, to position tourism as a key driver of economic diversification and well-being. We believe well-being will become a defining pillar of the region’s tourism identity, contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy future.”
In turn, Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, stated that the workshop provided Middle East Member States with practical tools, market knowledge, and product development strategies that meet the changing needs of modern travelers and create opportunities for regional cooperation and coordination in this area.
Samer Al-Kharashi, Director of the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, mentioned that: “Wellness tourism aligns perfectly with the region’s ambition to offer meaningful, high-value travel experiences. By embracing wellness, destinations in the Middle East can tap into a global trend while promoting healthier lifestyles, cultural authenticity, and environmental stewardship”
Over 30 representatives from national tourism administrations and organizations in the Middle East participated in the workshop. The workshop featured interactive sessions where participants shared best practices, discussed challenges, and explored opportunities to position health tourism as a key segment of regional development.
Written by Alexander Woodman