site.btaTourism Minister Borshosh Participates in 123rd Meeting of UN Tourism Executive Council

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh took part in the 123rd session of the Executive Council of UN Tourism, the press centre of the Tourism Ministry said on Saturday. The Council meeting, held on May 29-30, 2025, in Segovia, Spain, was a historic moment, as it was the first time a woman was elected to head the organization as secretary-general. 

"I am pleased to see nominations of individuals who represent the entire sector and reflect the transparency we all strive for. This is a strong and encouraging sign. For Bulgaria, the good governance of this organization is of key importance as we face a number of serious challenges. We hope that the organization will take clear positions on all important global and regional issues. Tourism deserves greater visibility and influence at the global level, and the responsibility we bear here today is at the heart of this change," Borshosh told his colleagues from the member countries of the UN Tourism Executive Council, quoted by the press centre of the Tourism Ministry. 

ShAikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the period 2026-2029 by a landslide vote. She will succeed the current head, Zurab Pololikashvili. In the first round, Al Nowais received 16 votes, followed by the candidates from Greece, Mexico, and Ghana. In the second round, she won with 24 votes against 11 for the only European candidate for the post, Haris Theoharis from Greece, according to the press release. 

Shaikha Al Nowais has over 16 years of experience in hospitality, sustainable development, and corporate governance. She is corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels and a member of key institutions such as the Tourism Working Group of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and the UAE Women Business Leaders Council. In her presentation to the Council, she emphasized that she would focus her efforts on developing ecotourism, social responsibility, education, and promoting little-known but authentic destinations. 

The elected candidate is to be officially confirmed at the next General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 11. Bulgaria is part of the UN Tourism Executive Council for the period 2023-2027, which represents the country's fifth participation in this body after the terms 1982-1985, 2004-2007, 2010-2013, and 2013-2017. The Executive Council includes 35 countries (10 of which are European) and plays a key role in overseeing the organization's programme, budget and strategic development. 

The session in Segovia confirmed the sustained recovery of global tourism. According to the latest UN Tourism Barometer report (May 2025), over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first quarter of the year – 14 million more than in the same period in 2024. During the meetings, a final report on the eight-year term of the current Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was presented, outlining the organization's achievements in the areas of sustainable development, digitalization, education, innovation, and social inclusion. 

Bulgaria remains a committed member of the international tourism community and will continue to work for the sustainable development of the sector, both nationally and globally, the statement added.