Page 553 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 ( Part 2)

5/19/25, 1:45 PM H.E. Bin Touq meets with tourism ministers of Spain and Croatia to enhance prospects for cooperation in the sector
Enhancing tourism cooperation with European markets

H.E. Bin Touq expressed the UAE’s desire to enhance cooperation with European markets and foster
fruitful partnerships in various tourism sub-sectors and activities, thereby supporting overall economic
development and creating new opportunities for shared prosperity. H.E. pointed out that the tourism

sector in the UAE has undergone significant development, characterized by the adoption of forward-
looking national initiatives; the establishment of distinguished tourism infrastructure in line with global
best practices; the development of leading destinations and tourism products, and an increase in tourist
inflows.

H.E. Bin Touq said: “The UAE continues to support initiatives and projects aimed at sustaining global
tourism growth, fostering collaboration with the UN Tourism and its member states, and expanding
cooperation in various tourism sub-sectors.”

Objectives of UAE Tourism Strategy

During discussions with the tourism ministers of Spain and Croatia, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the
importance of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and its key role in supporting the sustainability and

competitiveness of the country’s tourism sector over the next decade. The strategy has established a set
of national objectives, which include elevating the UAE’s status to become a leading global destination,
increasing the sector's contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion, attracting tourism

investments worth AED 100 billion to the country's markets, and welcoming 40 million guests by the year
2031.

Strong growth in UAE tourism

The Minister of Economy reviewed key performance indicators of the UAE tourism sector, which include
a total of AED 45 billion in hotel revenues in 2024 with a three per cent year-over-year growth. The hotel
occupancy rate in the country reached 78 per cent, which is among the highest regionally and globally.

Additionally, 16 new hotels were launched across the UAE in 2024, taking the total number of hotels to
1,251 by the end of last year.

Increasing tourism movement between the UAE and Spain

During his meeting with H.E. Rosario Sánchez Grau, Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism, H.E. Bin

Touq reviewed latest developments in the global tourism sector, the mechanisms to enable sustainable
growth, as well as enhancing cooperation in various tourism fields. The two sides explored the potential
for establishing new partnerships to increase mutual tourism flows.

The number of Spanish tourists to the UAE reached 150,231 in 2024, representing an increase of more
than 14 per cent compared to that of 2023. The number of flights between the UAE and Spain amount to

approximately 48 weekly services, operated by airlines of both countries.

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