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5/14/24, 4:14 PM Tourism accounted for 809,000 jobs in the UAE last year, equivalent to 12.3% of national employment, and this figure is on course …
Tourism accounted for 809,000 jobs in the UAE last

year, equivalent to 12.3% of national employment,

and this figure is on course to rise to 833,000 in

2024

May 7, 2024

Post Views: 398

Tourism projected to account for 12% of UAE GDP this year, as
GCC policymakers gather to discuss future of regional travel at

ATM 2024. H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of
Economy, noted the tourism sector’s growing contribution to the

Emirates’ economy in his opening comments on ATM 2024’s
Global Stage. “According to the World Travel & Tourism Council

(WTTC), our tourism sector has been a dynamic force within our

economy, contributing an impressive 11.7% to GDP [in 2023], amounting to AED 220 billion,” H.E. Al Marri
told attendees. “For 2024, the forecast is set even higher, with an anticipated contribution of 12% to the

[UAE’s] GDP, equating to AED 236 billion.”

H.E. Al Marri’s speech was followed by a panel discussion between H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of
the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; H.E. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi

Tourism Authority; H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism

in Oman; and H.E. Sarah Buhijji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. The session was
moderated by Dubai Eye presenter, Richard Dean.

Gulf-wide collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and infrastructure development were placed under the

microscope at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which saw a selection of policymakers discuss the
streamlining of the GCC’s thriving tourism industry. The 31st edition of ATM is being hosted at Dubai World

Travel Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 9 May.

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 planned GCC Unified Tourist Visa was cited as a
key facilitator for the region, alongside factors such as sustainability, infrastructure and culture.

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