Page 710 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

2/26/25, 3:46 PM Latest News
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.

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