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9/16/25, 2:42 PM UAE reaffirms support for joint efforts to advance global tourism at G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting
fertile tourism market for investments and projects in this sector. H.E. explained that the UAE has
placed digital transformation at the heart of its National Tourism Strategy 2031.

H.E. Bin Touq added that financing and sustainable investment are vital to ensuring the continuity and growth of the tourism
sector, underscoring the importance of innovative financing programs and strategic partnerships with development banks. He
further highlighted that enhancing global air connectivity remains a cornerstone of sustainable tourism, noting the UAE’s
continued investment in modern aviation networks, the integration of multimodal transport systems, infrastructure upgrades, and
the adoption of digital travel solutions that facilitate global mobility.

The meeting’s agenda addressed ways to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions and artificial intelligence to support SMEs
and startups in the tourism sector, alongside developing new mechanisms to finance sustainable tourism investments.
Discussions also focused on strengthening air connectivity through new routes, market liberalization, and integrated transport
systems, in addition to measures to bolster the sector’s resilience against health, climate, and economic challenges.

Significant growth in the UAE’s tourism and hospitality sector

The UAE’s tourism sector has maintained robust growth in recent years, with positive performance indicators recorded in the
first half of 2025. During this period, hotel establishments welcomed more than 16 million guests, marking a 5.5 per cent
increase compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of hotel guest nights rose to 56 million, reflecting growth of 7.3
per cent, while the average length of stay reached 3.5 nights. Revenues generated by hotel establishments exceeded AED 26
billion in the first six months of the year, up 6.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the sector’s average
hotel occupancy rate stood at 80.5 per cent, reaffirming the UAE’s position among the world’s leading tourism destinations.

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