The World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) will establish a Tourism Law Observatory for the Middle East, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative to strengthen and harmonise tourism legislation across the region.
Designed as a digital platform and knowledge hub, the Observatory will systematically collect, analyse, and update tourism-related laws and regulations. It will also serve as a forum for research, publications, and dialogue, supported by experts and academic partners.
The initiative is part of UN Tourism’s broader programme of Tourism Law Observatories, endorsed at its 25th General Assembly. These observatories aim to foster international harmonisation of tourism law, offering greater legal security and clearer frameworks for operators worldwide.
For the Middle East, the Observatory will focus on improving regulatory frameworks, fostering regional cooperation, and optimising governance models. It will provide countries with a platform to share best practices, address common challenges, and promote stakeholder participation in shaping tourism policies.
The move follows the launch of the first Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, currently operating in Uruguay in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank. Building on that success, UN Tourism now seeks to replicate the model across all regions.
The Middle East Observatory will be based at UN Tourism’s Regional Office for the Middle East, representing a major step toward aligning tourism regulation with global best practices and advancing the organisation’s vision for a more harmonised legal framework worldwide.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
