Brilliant Saudi mind, Sarah Al-Husseini, has been heading the Saudi Ministry of Tourism since 2019 as the the general director of international cooperation. Standing as an example to younger Saudi women and girls interested in the tourism industry, Al-Husseini upholds the Kingdom as a global tourism destination.
Through her work, Sarah Al-Husseini played a key role in managing the Kingdom's tourism engagements in international organizations, such as the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), according to Arab News.
The current chair of the G20 Tourism Working Group, Al-Hussaini's leadership supported the tourism sector’s recovery in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. She also tackled inclusive community development through tourism, and safe and seamless travel.
Kicking off her career in New York, Al-Hussaini first caught public attention as the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN. Her experience in the United States includes expertise on the legal affairs, counterterrorism, and humanitarian aid coordinator.
According to Arab News, Al-Husseini has a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the American University and a master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations from Seton Hall University, New Jersey, and a master of science degree, specializing in global security and multilateral counterterrorism policy, from Rutgers University’s division of global affairs.
Commenting on Saudi Arabia's future plans and global tenure, Al-Hussaini told Arab News: “The UNWTO regional office in the Middle East which will be hosted in Riyadh, was Saudi Arabia’s way of bringing the necessary tourism resources to the Middle East.
“Knowing that the Middle East is hugely diverse with cultural and heritage offerings, adventure, natural tourism, sun and sea, we see a lot of potential in the region.
“The UNWTO regional office will bring human capacity building for women, youth, and rural communities. It will also bring capacity building for governments in the private sector, and most importantly, it will bring data and research insight to help governments, decision-makers, policymakers as well as investors and private sectors to be able to develop their decision making and investing within the region,” Al-Husseini added to the Saudi daily.
