Page 340 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 1)

The strategy aims to position the UAE as a leading global tourism destination and increase
the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion by the next decade.

H.E. expressed his appreciation to the Republic of Brazil for organising the G20 Summit and
acknowledged Brazilian presidency’s endeavours in ensuring the event’s success. H.E.
expressed his gratitude to the G20 members and international tourism organisations

attending the ministerial meeting for their concerted efforts in promoting the sustainability
of global tourism.

In addition, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the continuous growth in tourism exchanges between
the UAE and Brazil. The total number of Brazilian tourists who visited the UAE in 2023
exceeded 183,000, reflecting a remarkable rise of 46.4 per cent when compared to the
125,000 visitors in 2022. Currently, there are 50 flights connecting the two countries every
month, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.

Meeting with tourism ministers of Brazil, India, Azerbaijan, and South Africa

On the meeting’s sidelines, H.E. Bin Touq met with H.E. Celso Sabino de Oliveira, the
Minister of Tourism of Brazil, H.E. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Indian Minister of Tourism,
H.E. Patricia de Lille, South African Minister of Tourism and H.E. Fuad Nagiyev, the
Chairman of the State Tourism Agency in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

H.E. Bin Touq apprised the ministers of the promising prospects within the UAE’s tourism
sector, outlining the new initiatives that are currently being implemented. H.E. also
emphasised the UAE’s efforts in nurturing effective partnerships with various global
partners, which drive both economic and social advancement and bolster the UAE’s
prominent position in the international tourism and travel landscape.

H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with H.E. Fuad Nagiyev explored Azerbaijan’s endeavours in the
tourism sector including its hosting of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Additionally, it discussed Azerbaijan’s
plans to organise a tourism ministers’ meeting during COP29. The meeting delved into the
development of new work plans to enhance tourism connections and leverage the diverse
tourism assets and opportunities present in both markets.

The UAE and Brazilian sides also discussed joint investment prospects in the sector and

fostering cooperation between tourism enterprises in the two markets. There was an
emphasis on strengthening bilateral efforts to develop novel tourism and leisure initiatives,
facilitating the growth in mutual tourism flows.

In a separate meeting, H.E. Bin Touq and the Indian minister of tourism discussed the
strengthening of tourism relations between the two countries within the framework of their
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in-brazil-reinforces-commitment-to-supporting-global-efforts-to-ensure-the-sectors-
sustainable-development/