The event will be held in Riyadh in late-2022, with the 21st summit due to take place in Manila over 14-16 March 2022.

The council said the event would drive support for ongoing recovery of the global travel sector, and help chart a "safer, resilient, inclusive and sustainable" future.

Julie Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said since the start of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia had shown "total commitment" to the sector and had been "instrumental" in leading the recovery.

“For that, we are grateful and want to recognise their incredible efforts by bringing the global travel and tourism sector to the kingdom next year.”

The announcement is coincides with new WTTC research, which suggests the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector is set to grow by more than a quarter this year, ahead of the likes of Europe and Latin America.

Earlier this year, Simpson’s predecessor Gloria Guevara linked up with Saudi Arabia’s ministry of tourism to serve as a special advisor, while the UNTWO has opened an office in Riyadh.

It comes after the kingdom reopened to leisure travellers in August last year.