Page 186 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT- NOVEMBER 2024

During the forum's opening session, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi witnessed a session titled
"Tourism in the Digital Transformation Era," where both Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, the CEO of the
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Basma Al Maiman, the Regional
Director for the Middle East at the United Nations World Tourism Organization, spoke about the role
of digital technologies in reshaping the tourism sector.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer emphasised the importance of partnership between the government,
private sector, and local communities to support tourism, considering it also effects the local GDP
and provides numerous opportunities such as jobs and investments for youth, affecting the
country's economy. He noted that Sharjah possesses significant tourism assets that make it a
preferred destination due to its environmental, cultural, and heritage diversity, along with the many
experiences that make a tourist's journey enticing.

Al Mayman confirmed that statistics indicate the region's recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic,
underscoring governments' investments and significant efforts in the tourism sector through
digitization and the use of artificial intelligence to develop tourism. She emphasised its importance,
provided it does not affect tourism jobs such as tour guides, considering it as complementary to
their work.

After the session's conclusion, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi honored the speakers and
partners by presenting them with commemorative shields and taking photos with them.

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