Page 76 - MOE ENGLISH PR - MAY 2024

Press Release

The tourism sector played a significant role in generating 809,000 job opportunities across various
tourism activities and fields in the country in 2023. This accounted for approximately 12.3 per cent
of the total labour market, with a 5 per cent year-over-year growth and more than 11.4 per cent
growth compared to that of 2019. Projections indicate that the number of job opportunities will
increase to 833,000 in 2024. Currently, there are 1,235 hotels in the country providing a total of
210,000 rooms for guests and visitors.

The WTTC report revealed that the UAE’s tourism industry achieved remarkable results in 2023,
confirming a full recovery from the pandemic’s impact. Local visitor spending in 2023 reached
over AED 55.5 billion, marking an impressive growth of nearly 40 per cent compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, international visitor spending surged by nearly 40 per cent last year, surpassing 2019
levels by 12 per cent to exceed AED 175 billion.

H.E. continued: "Our efforts to promote the sustainable development of the national tourism sector
and enhance its contribution to the growth and diversification of the national economy are
continuing. These efforts aim to create job opportunities and enhance overall development.
Through the Emirates Tourism Council and its Hospitality Advisory Committee, initiatives and
programs will be launched to effectively highlight the diversity of UAE's tourism offerings and
strengthen global confidence in it. The goal is to establish the UAE as a premier global tourism
destination and solidify the national tourism identity, ultimately creating a sustainable tourism
sector in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

The latest Council meeting reviewed the recommendations put forth during the first meeting of the
Hospitality Advisory Committee, which took place in April last year. These recommendations
highlight the significance of capitalizing on the opportunities within the UAE's hospitality sector
to support the sustainable development of the tourism sector. Additionally, they emphasize the
need for collaborative efforts to bolster the country's attraction for foreign investments in this vital
field.

-Ends-

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