U.S, Jan. 1 -- At midnight on January 1, 2026, a new chapter quietly began at UN-Tourism (formerly UNWTO). After eight years of one of the most controversial leadership periods in the organization's history, Shaikha Nasser of the United Arab Emirates officially assumed office as Secretary-General.

Just 30 minutes later, news began breaking from Switzerland: a catastrophic fire at a New Year's celebration in the alpine resort of Crans-Montana, leaving at least 40 people dead and more than 115 injured, many of them international tourists.

A First Message That Set the Tone Before even stepping into her Madrid office - and on a global holiday when many institutions remained silent - Shaikha Nasser issued her first public message as Secretar...