Page 272 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - JUNE 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
Read More

“We are committed to continuing our work with our BRICS partners to develop a
resilient and sustainable tourism industry. We will enhance air connectivity and
infrastructure, leverage the strategic location of the UAE and member countries,
embrace digital transformation and technology in various tourism sectors and activities,
and share best practices to facilitate travel, increase tourism flows between member
countries, and provide a unique tourism experience for travellers from around the
world,” the Minister said.

He also pointed out that the tourism sector is set for a period of growth and prosperity,
driven by the robust recovery of global tourism industry growth indicators in 2023.
These have reached 88% of pre-COVID pandemic levels, with revenues estimated at
$1.6 trillion, according to indicators issued by the United Nations World Tourism
Organization. This underscores the need for continued investment and effort in tourism
development.

He also outlined how the UAE’s tourism sector can serve as a robust foundation for
driving growth and sustainability in the national economy.

He said, “The UAE has been eager to develop this crucial sector by launching
groundbreaking tourism projects, initiatives and strategies. These include the National
Tourism Strategy 2031, which charts a course to elevate the UAE’s position as a world-
leading tourism destination and aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to
GDP by Dhs450 billion and attract investments worth Dhs100 billion by the next decade.
Additionally, the UAE has launched the National Charter for Tourism, a strategic
framework to enhance the country’s role as a leading tourism destination.”

He further reviewed a set of indicators and results that confirmed the UAE’s leadership
in global competitive indicators. The country achieved a significant growth of 26 per cent
in 2023 compared to 2022 and exceeded 2019 levels by 14 per cent, bringing its
contribution to the UAE’s GDP to about Dhs220 billion, equivalent to 11.7 per cent of
the country’s total GDP. The UAE is the regional leader and ranks the 18th globally in
the Global Travel and Tourism Development Index (GTDI) for 2024. It also ranked the
sixth globally as the world’s largest market in terms of tourism revenues with Dhs191
billion in 2023.

He also outlined the various tourism projects implemented by the UAE during the past
phase, on the top of them is the expansion of airports capacities, development of
destinations and tourist attractions in accordance with international best practices, and
construction of advanced road and transport infrastructure within the country. In
addition, it will employ the modern technologies to enhance the traveller experience
through the airports, and provide a digital platform for innovative virtual tourism
experiences around the distinctive sites and attractions in the seven emirates, he
added.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2024/06/22/uae-committed-to-strengthen-tourism-ties-with-
brics-states