WEF, Saudi Arabia and Kearney unveil inaugural cohort of ‘Beyond Tourism Impact Stars’
The World Economic Forum and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism have unveiled the inaugural cohort of the ‘Beyond Tourism Impact Stars’ program, recognising six private-sector initiatives that are tackling some of tourism’s biggest challenges around the world.
Supported by global consulting firm Kearney, the programme spotlights tourism models that demonstrate how commercial growth can go hand-in-hand with stronger communities, environmental protection and more resilient destinations.
The inaugural winners span hospitality, technology, education, real estate and community tourism, with projects operating from Saudi Arabia and India to Southeast Asia and Egypt.
Meet the Beyond Tourism Impact Stars
An overview of the Beyond Tourism Impact Stars (companies and initiatives):
Accor
Global water action: Mobilizing hotel teams around the world to turn water conservation into everyday practice, using learning, local ownership, gamification and recognition to accelerate action across hotel operations.
Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment
Reviving downtown Cairo: Reviving the city through architectural heritage restoration and adaptive reuse, local business curation and cultural programming to empower a vibrant, inclusive urban destination.
Discova
The path to self-sufficient tourism: A commercial destination-management company initiative that works with rural communities across Southeast Asia to develop viable tourism enterprises, connect them directly with visitor markets, and progressively transition ownership and management to the community.
GHE Impact Ventures
Himalayan living commons: Building community-owned visitor economies in remote parts of India by combining local enterprise, skills development, infrastructure and market access so that more tourism value remains within host communities.
Iberostar
Using science to drive operational innovation: Applying science, data, AI and engineering to hotel operations to reduce environmental impacts and restore ecosystems while strengthening operational performance and the resilience of the destinations on which tourism depends.
Sommet Education
Empowering Saudi hospitality talent: Building Saudi Arabia’s hospitality workforce through a national-scale education partnership spanning entry-level skills, professional development and executive leadership to help meet the talent needs of a rapidly growing tourism sector.
Tourism growth and challenges
The recognition comes at a pivotal moment for the global tourism industry. Travel and tourism is projected to generate $16 trillion in global GDP by 2034, accounting for more than 11% of the world economy. Yet that growth is unfolding against rising costs, workforce shortages, climate disruption and increasing pressure on destinations and local infrastructure.
Alois Zwinggi, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, said the winners demonstrate that “commercial success and positive impact are not separate objectives”, pointing to approaches ranging from community partnerships and workforce programmes to data-driven technology and heritage-led development.
Bob Willen, Global Managing Partner and Chairman of Kearney, added: “Tourism is one of the world’s great economic engines, but its future success will depend on whether growth delivers lasting value for the places and people that make travel possible. The Beyond Tourism Impact Stars cohort proves that businesses do not have to choose between commercial performance and positive impact: the strongest models are already advancing both.”
For Kearney, the program is part of its broader support to the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. The firm is also one of the very few consultancies that can call itself a Strategic Partner of the World Economic Forum (alongside rivals such as McKinsey and Bain & Company).
“We are proud to support the World Economic Forum and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia in bringing these practical, scalable examples to the fore, and in helping the sector turn ambition into action,” said Willen.
Over the coming period, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism and Kearney will remain committed to supporting the inaugural cohort as they advance their plans.
“Through key milestones like the inaugural cohort of Beyond Tourism Impact Stars, we are establishing vital platforms that connect stakeholders and innovators, foster substantive dialogue, and deliver practical solutions to real industry challenges,” said Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia remains committed to fostering a more resilient, responsible, and inclusive travel and tourism ecosystem.”
