Page 43 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 1)

Press Release

H.E. Bin Touq meets with Guatemalan Minister of Tourism to
strengthen cooperation and explore opportunities in the sector

• Meeting takes place on the sidelines of seventh edition of Sharjah

Investment Forum

• H.E. Bin Touq: UAE and Guatemala boast promising opportunities to

enhance cooperation in key economic and tourism sectors

Abu Dhabi, 19 September 2024

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism
Council, met with Harris Whitbeck, Guatemalan Minister of Tourism, to explore the strengthening
of cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector. The meeting took place on the
sidelines of H.E.’s participation in the seventh edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF),
organized by the Sharjah FDI Office ‘Invest in Sharjah’ under the theme ‘A Futuristic Vision for
Smart Economies.’
During the meeting, H.E. Bin Touq lauded the substantial progress in the UAE-Guatemala bilateral
relations in diverse sectors, particularly in economy and trade. H.E. added that there exist
promising prospects for further enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries in
several key sectors such as tourism, entrepreneurship, and the new economy.

The two ministers explored ways to strengthen tourism cooperation between the UAE and
Guatemala by leveraging their existing economic partnership. The aim is to create new
opportunities in tourism, aviation and travel for the private sector and develop innovative tourism
and leisure initiatives to stimulate tourism flows between the two markets.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation to launch joint
marketing campaigns to promote prominent tourist attractions and destinations in both markets,
with the goal of attracting more tourists and visitors. Both sides recognized the importance of
exchanging experiences and policies that promote the sector’s sustainability, thereby fostering
economic growth.

H.E. Bin Touq apprised the Gautaemalan minister of the UAE's endeavors to advance the sector’s
growth in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. The strategy plays a crucial role in