Page 703 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

2/26/25, 3:45 PM UAE participates in 51st UN Tourism Regional Commission meeting in Doha
Speaking on behalf of H.E. Bin Touq at the meeting, H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh said: "The UAE has adopted flexible
economic policies and invested consistently into developing infrastructure, establishing pioneering tourism
projects, integrating technology into tourism-related activities. The UAE has also been fostering innovation in
tourism services, building strong regional and international partnerships, and launching innovative marketing
campaigns to promote tourism destinations across the seven emirates. These efforts have significantly
contributed to the sector’s sustained growth in recent years."

H.E. Al Saleh highlighted the UAE’s remarkable progress in developing new tourism experiences that cater to
the expectations of younger generations. For instance, initiatives such as the ‘UAE Grand Tours’ have been
instrumental in encouraging tourists to explore the country's rich cultural and environmental diversity, thereby
enhancing their overall experience and extending their stays.

Moreover, H.E. highlighted key milestones in the UAE’s tourism sector, including a four per cent growth in hotel
establishment revenues, reaching AED 37.1 billion from January to October 2024, compared to the same period

in 2023. The total number of hotel guests across seven emirates soared to approximately 24.9 million in the first
ten months of 2024, reflecting a 9.5 per cent growth from 2023. Additionally, the UAE’s aviation sector recorded a
10 per cent surge in passenger traffic, reaching 147.8 million travelers in 2024, up from 134 million in 2023.

The Undersecretary emphasized the UAE’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism under the forward-
looking vision of its wise leadership, driven by eco-friendly practices and innovative initiatives that promote
environmental sustainability. These efforts include the integration of clean energy solutions into hotel
establishments, expansion of ecotourism in nature reserves, and the harnessing of smart technology to offer
sustainable tourism experiences. The UAE also champions eco-friendly practices such as recycling, green
transportation, and the development of sustainable hotels powered by solar energy and green technology.

H.E. emphasized the UAE’s call for strengthening regional collaboration through fostering experience-sharing,
joint training programs, and initiatives to enhance intra-regional tourism and diversifying tourism destinations. He
further stressed the importance of UNWTO’s pioneering initiatives and member states' efforts to advance
tourism growth and support collaboration to develop comprehensive strategies based on innovation and
sustainability, with a focus on cooperation in hosting major tourism events to drive economic growth.

In conclusion, H.E. reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting regional and international efforts to enhance
tourism sector growth. He expressed the UAE’s eagerness to strengthen collaboration with all partners to build a
more prosperous and sustainable tourism future, reflecting shared aspirations for a resilient and thriving industry.

H.E. extended his gratitude to Qatar for its generous hospitality and excellent organization of this important
meeting, which is a key platform for advancing tourism cooperation in the Middle East. He also thanked UNWTO
for its continuous efforts in developing this vital sector and fostering collaboration among countries in the region
to achieve sustainable tourism development.

-Ends-

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/uae-participates-in-51st-un-tourism-regional-commission-meeting-in-doha-um83vemq 2/3