Page 70 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2024 (International)

Press Release

UAE participates in Arab tourism ministerial council meeting in
Cairo to promote regional cooperation in the sector

Meeting discusses efforts to enhance tourism flows among Arab countries

Abu Dhabi, 15 December 2024:

A UAE delegation, led by His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-
Secretary for Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the Ministry of Economy, participated in the
27th session of Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the
Arab League in Cairo and chaired by the Sultanate of Oman, was aimed at promoting regional
tourism cooperation and introducing initiatives to enhance the competitiveness and global appeal
of Arab tourism.

At the meeting, the UAE delegation reaffirmed the nation’s strong commitment to supporting
collaborative efforts in the sector, a key driver of sustainable economic development in the region
that faces significant regional and global challenges. This highlights the need for enhanced
collaboration to create new opportunities and develop resilient, innovative tourism strategies,
reinforcing the region’s position as a leading tourism destination.

The UAE delegation emphasized that the meeting is a key platform for discussing initiatives and
projects that contribute to achieving tourism integration among Arab countries, developing more
innovative tourism products, and exchanging experiences and best practices in this regard. These
efforts are necessary to stimulate tourism flows among Arab countries and encourage the influx of
investments, especially considering the growing demand for tourism currently. The UAE explained
that joint Arab tourism efforts extend beyond economic aspects, serving as a means to achieve
cultural harmonization, preserve the rich Arab heritage, and enhance the shared identity of Arab
peoples.

Furthermore, the meeting witnessed a review of key indicators and figures that confirm the
continuous growth of UAE tourism, including the rise in hotel revenue to AED 33.5 billion during
the first nine months of 2024, reflecting a 4 per cent growth compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the hotel occupancy rate across the seven emirates increased to 77.8 per cent - one of
the highest globally. Furthermore, the number of hotel nights reached approximately 75.5 million
between January to September 2024, representing an eight percent growth.

1