Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — A new era of collaboration and innovation in global tourism leadership has begun as Patrick Torrent, Executive Director of NECSTouR (Network of European Regions for Sustainable and Competitive Tourism), has been elected President of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members Board during the 45th Plenary Session held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This milestone election took place alongside the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — marking a historic gathering celebrating 50 years of international tourism cooperation and innovation.
Global Leadership for a Transformative Era
Torrent’s appointment symbolizes a renewed focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and AI-driven innovation in tourism. He succeeds a tenure defined by global recovery efforts and will now guide the Affiliate Members network into a new chapter of connected, inclusive, and technology-empowered growth.
Elected alongside Torrent were:
- Horacio Repucci, Executive Director, Argentine Chamber of Tourism, as Vice-President
- Abdullah Alhagbani, Saudi Tourism Authority, as Vice-President
The newly formed leadership team will serve for the 2026–2029 term, representing over 500 Affiliate Members worldwide, including private enterprises, educational institutions, destinations, and NGOs that form a vital bridge between the public and private sectors of global tourism.
A Vision for Smarter, More Sustainable Tourism
In his inaugural remarks, Patrick Torrent emphasized the importance of collaborative innovation:
“Our mission is to foster a tourism sector that is not only sustainable but also smarter — powered by innovation, data, and collaboration. Together, we will advance new models of tourism that benefit both people and the planet.”
Torrent outlined a roadmap focusing on:
- Accelerating digital and AI integration to enhance global destination competitiveness.
- Empowering SMEs and regional partnerships to ensure inclusive growth.
- Advancing green investment and sustainability standards to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Building stronger academic and industry connections to drive research-led innovation.
A Shared Commitment to the Future of Tourism
Vice Presidents Horacio Repucci and Abdullah Alhagbani echoed this shared vision. Repucci highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration in Latin America, while Alhagbani underlined the Middle East’s role as a global tourism innovation hub, driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.
“The Affiliate Members network is a powerful force for good — uniting governments, entrepreneurs, and innovators,” said Alhagbani. “Under this new leadership, we will continue to build bridges between regions and industries to redefine the future of travel.”
Hosted in Riyadh: A Global Hub for Innovation and Cooperation
The election took place during the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly — the largest in the organization’s history — hosted by Saudi Arabia from November 7–11, 2025. The Assembly brought together delegations from 160+ member states, setting the stage for the next generation of tourism growth anchored in sustainability and technological innovation.
The Kingdom’s hosting of the event reinforces its growing role as a global tourism leader, dedicated to shaping policies and partnerships that drive the transformation of travel in the digital age.
About the UN Tourism Affiliate Members Network
The UN Tourism Affiliate Members represent the organization’s most dynamic platform for collaboration between governments and the private sector. With over 500 members worldwide, the network drives innovation, investment, and education to ensure that tourism remains a key contributor to inclusive and sustainable development.
