Page 755 - MOE ENGLISH PR - MAY 2024

5/14/24, 4:11 PM Tourism projected to account for 12% of UAE's GDP in 2024: Minister of Economy | Emirates News Agency
Speaking at the opening day of the Arabian Travel

Market (ATM) 2024, Al Marri said that the sector is

anticipated to contribute 12 percent to the UAE's GDP,

equating to AED236 billion.

The 31st edition of ATM, being hosted at Dubai World

Travel Centre (DWTC) until 9th May, discussed Gulf-wide

collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and

infrastructure development.

Al Marri’s speech was followed by a panel discussion

among Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah

Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Fahd

Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority; Azzan

Al Busaidi, Under-Secretary of Tourism at the Ministry of

Heritage and Tourism in Oman; and Sarah Buhijji, CEO

of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. The

session was moderated by Dubai Eye presenter, Richard

Dean.

During the in-depth discussion, the ministerial panellists

explored the importance of inter-regional initiatives in

elevating the GCC tourism industry to the next level,

while striking the right balance between collaboration

and competition between destinations and nations. The

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