News DeskNew York – Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company Group, has been appointed as a United Nations Tourism Ambassador during the inaugural UN Sustainability Week in New York City. This prestigious recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the global hospitality industry and his visionary leadership in tourism development spanning over five decades.
In a ceremony presided over by Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Inzerillo was presented with the award, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping future global tourism strategies with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The appointment places Inzerillo among an esteemed cohort of nearly 50 UN tourism ambassadors from various fields including arts, business, gastronomy, and sports, such as Georgio Armani, Lionel Messi, and Placido Domingo.
Zurab Pololikashvili expressed the UNWTO’s pride in welcoming Jerry Inzerillo as the newest Tourism Ambassador, underscoring his potential to amplify the organization’s messages on tourism’s capacity to drive positive change and foster sustainable growth. Pololikashvili also commended Inzerillo’s transformative leadership at Diriyah, where he is instrumental in showcasing Saudi Arabia as a premier tourism destination to global audiences.
Jerry Inzerillo’s remarkable journey from New York to the helm of Diriyah Company Group has been marked by a steadfast commitment to innovative design and development strategies that prioritize community empowerment and the creation of authentic tourism experiences. His accolades include being named Corporate Hotelier of the World by Hotels Magazine in 2021 and receiving the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President Joe Biden.
Diriyah, known as The City of Earth, stands as a beacon of sustainable development on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Inzerillo’s vision for the project emphasizes international sustainability standards, preservation of cultural heritage, and community well-being. The development’s initiatives, including the planting of millions of indigenous trees and the utilization of carbon-negative building materials, have earned it the prestigious LEED platinum-level certification for Cities and Communities.
Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Jerry Inzerillo underscored the significance of sustainable practices in the tourism sector, emphasizing the importance of education and community engagement. He stressed the need for proactive policymaking to drive positive change in the industry and promote sustainable tourism practices globally.
In addition to his appointment as a Tourism Ambassador, Inzerillo participated in discussions at the UN Sustainability Week, engaging in dialogue on the future of tourism and advocating for sustainable practices alongside other industry leaders.
Inzerillo’s appointment as a United Nations Tourism Ambassador underscores the growing importance of sustainability in the global tourism industry and highlights the pivotal role of visionary leaders in driving positive change for future generations.
