The Riyadh Declaration sets out concrete commitments that go beyond a statement of intent: Member States pledge to facilitate investment in digital infrastructure, close skills gaps across the sector, and empower local communities through technological tools and AI in the service of more inclusive tourism economies. One of the most striking moments of the gathering was the final of the “UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge,” in which the Brazilian initiative Smart Tour won for its innovative proposal in digital tourism.
The Assembly also marked the confirmation of a new institutional phase for the agency: the biennial “Africa & Americas Summit” was institutionalized as a platform for dialogue and technical cooperation; the creation of a regional office in Shanghai was ratified; and the theme for World Tourism Day 2026 was defined—“Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence”—with El Salvador as the host country.
The impact of this agenda is both wide-ranging and profound. On the one hand, it signals a shift in the global tourism narrative, moving beyond a traditional model centered almost exclusively on arrivals to embrace an approach where quality, sustainability, technology and equity take center stage. On the other hand, it poses operational challenges for governments, businesses and local destinations that will need to adapt—or reinvent themselves—in a landscape where AI will cease to be optional and become a structural element. The drive for innovation spans not only new visitor experiences but also better planning, smarter use of data, process optimization, waste reduction and stronger, fairer value chains. The importance of these transformations is heightened in a global context that demands greater resilience to crises, evolving traveler behavior and a sustainability paradigm that is no longer optional but essential.
For destinations and governments, implementing this agenda calls for a strategic reading: invest in technology, train talent, listen to local communities, integrate AI with principles of equity and responsibility, and understand that future competitiveness will be measured not just in visitor volume but in how visitors are managed, how inclusive the benefits are, and what legacy tourism leaves in each territory. Translating the Declaration’s commitments into concrete projects will require coordinated effort: public policy, public-private partnerships, clear governance frameworks, data protection and digital ethics will be central pillars.
The conclusion of the Assembly in Riyadh marks a before-and-after moment for international tourism. The adoption of an agenda centered on artificial intelligence confirms that the sector is entering a new era. It is not only about welcoming visitors, but about transforming the way we travel, the way experiences are delivered and the way value is created for societies. This transformation will not be automatic, however: it will require visionary leadership, global collaboration and a genuine commitment to ensuring that technology serves tourism as a tool for development, inclusion and well-being. As the next steps of the Riyadh Declaration roll out, the world of tourism moves closer to a future in which digital innovation stops being a promise and becomes a tangible reality.
