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Press Release

H.E. Bin Touq meets with Italian Minister of Tourism and
President/CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council to strengthen

cooperation in the sector

Meetings held on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market 2024 in Dubai

Abu Dhabi, 7th May, 2024:

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism
Council, held meetings with H.E. Daniela Santanchè, Italian Minister of Tourism, and Julia
Simpson, President and CEO at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), to strengthen
prospects for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector. The meeting took place on the
st
sidelines of their participation in the 31 edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2024),
being held in Dubai from May 6 to 9.

During the meetings, H.E. Bin Touq expressed the UAE’s desire to strengthen cooperation with
various global partners in tourism and related sectors, exchange best practices, and build
partnership with international tourism organisations. These efforts aim to enhance the growth
and sustainability of the national economy and support its competitiveness at regional and
global levels, and to consolidate the UAE’s position in the global tourism landscape.

H.E. elaborated on the UAE’s efforts in developing tourism, including the adoption of relevant
policies and strategies, most notably the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. H.E. highlighted the
vital role of this strategy in supporting the sustainability and competitiveness of UAE tourism
by the next decade. The strategy has set a number of a national goals, including the
strengthening of the UAE’s position as one of the best global tourism destinations, raising the
sector’s contribution to the GDP to AED 450 billion. Besides, it aims to attract AED 100 billion
as additional tourism investments and attract 40 million hotel guests to the country in line with
the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with the Italian minister explored ways to strengthen tourism
cooperation between the UAE and Italy, leveraging their existing economic partnership. The
discussions focused on creating new investment opportunities in hospitality, aviation, and
travel for the private sector. Additionally, the meeting explored the development of innovative
tourism and recreational initiatives to stimulate tourism flows between the two countries.

Furthermore, the Minister of Economy noted that the UAE-Italian relations are witnessing
continued growth in various tourism activities and sectors. H.E. highlighted that during the