Page 425 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

6/19/25, 8:35 AM Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE’s
hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this
vital industry.

H.E. Bin Touq said: "Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE’s tourism and

hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5
billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in
2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per
cent during the same period."

H.E. added: "These impressive figures reflect the UAE’s strong commitment to advancing its hospitality
industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and
entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and
delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a
result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today."

The Minister of Economy continued: "The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked
by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN
World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE’s prominent
role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.”

The meeting’s discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the
UAE’s efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants
emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet
the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global
tourism brand by the next decade.

The Council also reviewed the newly launched “Summer Hospitality Camp” program by the Ministry of
Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on
training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism
facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks.

Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic
advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality
sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to
drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers
feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.

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