Page 191 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

5/1/24, 9:14 AM H.E. Bin Touq leads UAE delegation participating in World Economic Forum in Riyadh
The Minister of Economy said: “The UAE is committed to promoting sustainability, not just
in the tourism industry but across diverse economic and environmental sectors,

safeguarding resources, wealth, and natural reserves, especially following the

announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the
UAE, extending the ‘Year of Sustainability’ to the year 2024 with the aim of building on the

success of this initiative last year.”

National initiatives & strategies to promote sustainable tourism growth

H.E. emphasized that the UAE attaches significant importance to the tourism sector,

recognizing it as a key contributor to national economic growth and enhancing its
competitiveness and diversity. The country has successfully highlighted its tourism

diversity in the past phase, promoting the unique features and characteristics of all seven

emirates, with the aim of attracting more global companies to its markets. These
achievements encourage national and foreign investments in tourism projects, thereby

consolidating the UAE's position on the travel and tourism landscape at regional and
global levels.

Elaborating on the UAE's experience in developing its tourism sector in accordance with

international best practices and making it more flexible and sustainable, H.E. Bin Touq
said that these included the promotion of sustainable tourism practices such as eco-

friendly accommodation, wildlife conservation, cultural heritage, and the launch of national

initiatives and strategies such as the ‘National Tourism Strategy 2031.’ The strategy aims
to increase the contribution of the UAE tourism sector to the national GDP to AED 450

billion, raising the country's profile as the best tourism identity by the next decade.
Besides, through the launch of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, the

country has set an ambitious target to achieve annual production of up to 700 million litres
of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Role of ecotourism in promoting sustainability of national tourism sector

H.E. Bin Touq noted the importance of ecotourism in supporting the sustainability of the

tourism sector and preserving natural reserves and desert attractions. H.E. presented
examples for sustainable tourism in the UAE, including the Al Marmoom Conservation

Reserve, which balances the experiences of visitors with the preservation of environment,
in addition to Sir Baniyas Island that has ecotourism potential. He also highlighted major

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