Page 95 - AJMAN TOURISM PR REPORT - February 2025

2/26/25, 10:40 AM Ajman Tourism Development Department organises panel discussion to discuss ground breaking tourism innovations in Arab Worl…
technologies, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things,
into tourism projects to enhance visitor experiences. It addressed how innovation can
propel the sustainable growth of the sector and boost the competitiveness of tourism
destinations. Speakers also discussed strategies to expand and diversify tourism offerings
to provide visitors with one-of-a-kind experiences, in addition to highlighting successful
tourism models from across the Arab world.

H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi further explained how the UAE is actively working to
cement its status as a leading global tourism hub through a comprehensive strategy that
prioritises innovation, in line with global trends and the rapid advancements in the
industry. H.E. Alhashmi added, “This session reflects our wise leadership’s emphasis on
sustainability and economic diversification as core strategic priorities, which aligns with the
UAE Centennial 2071 vision to position the country as the world’s most innovative and
sustainable tourism hub. In this regard, the ATDD is integrating innovation across all its
initiatives to advance national and regional objectives, with a particular focus on enhancing
visitor experiences through cutting-edge technologies such as digital tourism and artificial
intelligence.”

The session was also attended by entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, including Patrick
Antaki, Vice President of Operations for the Middle East at Valor Hospitality; Rasha
Youssef, Founder of Fafla Travel; and Darren Derieh, Founder of Turhal Al-Asayel Travel
and Tourism Experiences. Participants showed great interest in the discussion, actively
sharing their thoughts and experiences on global best practices. The session concluded
with several key recommendations for driving innovation in Arab tourism, promoting
collaboration between government and private entities to promote innovation-driven
tourism projects, adopting modern digital solutions to improve tourism services,
encouraging entrepreneurship in the sector, and introducing specialised training programs
to empower tourism professionals with advanced technological skills.

In line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which seeks to increase the tourism industry’s
contribution to the national economy and promote sustainable tourism development, the
department aims to accelerate the sector’s growth by establishing a vibrant environment
that encourages new ideas and supports entrepreneurial innovation.

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