Page 492 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

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2/28/25, 3:13 PM Hospitality Advisory Council holds its first meeting of 2025
H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the Council's key role in fostering hospitality sector growth in line with global
best practices, thereby contributing to achieving the objectives outlined in the UAE Tourism Strategy
2031. Its efforts include the introduction of diverse array of tourism initiatives and projects that will
reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination.

During the meeting, H.E. said: "The UAE's hospitality sector is experiencing continued growth, as the
total number of guests in our hotel establishments across the seven emirates reached around 24.9
million in the first ten months of 2024, indicating a 9.5 per cent growth. The total number of hotel nights
amounted to 85 million during this period, reflecting an eight per cent growth compared to the same

period in 2023. In addition, the total number of hotel establishments in the country reached 1,246 by the
end of October 2024, with a two per cent growth.

The meeting discussed various innovative tourism initiatives that the UAE could introduce as a special
guest country at the G20 Summit 2025 taking place in South Africa. These will be designed to boost
tourism sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and localise the cutting-edge technology across the

diverse sectors and activities within the sector.

Additionally, the meeting explored marketing strategies to promote the "Major Tourism Pathways"
project, which seeks to harmonise the travel experience throughout the seven emirates while also
highlighting their cultural diversity, encouraging visitors to explore them.

Furthermore, the Council meeting explored the possibility of introducing a new tourism training program
called ‘Summer Hospitality Camps,’ aimed at boosting Emiratisation in the sector by engaging more
youth. Its goal is to cultivate local workforce competencies and skills in the sector, offer practical training,
and raise awareness on tourism’s role in the country's national economic growth. This program will be
available to students who are 16 years old and above.

For further information, please contact:
Orient Planet Group (OPG)
Email: media@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com