Page 45 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024 ( International)

Press Release

UAE participates in eighth GCC tourism ministerial meeting in

Qatar and emphasizes the importance of strengthening joint efforts

to support the sector’s sustainable growth

H.E. Bin Touq reiterates the UAE’s commitment to supporting the
implementation of GCC unified tourism strategy 2023-2030

Abu Dhabi, 19 February 2024:

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism
Council, led the UAE delegation participating in the eighth meeting of the tourism sector ministers
and undersecretaries from GCC countries. The meeting took place on 18 and 19 February in the
Qatari capital, Doha.

H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that the UAE is keen to continue supporting GCC states’ joint efforts
to develop initiatives and strategies aimed at enhancing the sector’s growth and sustainability.

H.E. said in his speech during the meeting: “In line with the directives of its wise leadership, the
UAE continues to view tourism sector development as a priority, given the sector’s key role in
enhancing our economy’s growth and supporting its competitiveness at regional and global levels.
In 2022, the UAE launched its National Tourism Strategy 2031, which is a roadmap to raise the
country’s position as the best tourism identity globally, consolidate its leadership as a leading
tourism destination, and increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion
by the next decade.”

Full recovery of GCC tourism sector

H.E. added: “GCC’s tourism sector has proven its resilience by fully recovering from the
pandemic’s impact thanks to the proactive visions and pioneering strategies adopted by our
governments. Today, we remain focused on the development of tourism sector infrastructure,
including airports and hotels, which has contributed to driving this vital sector’s strong and upward
growth at the regional and global levels.”

A new phase of growth & prosperity for GCC tourism