Page 196 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

“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,” he added.

National Initiatives & Strategies to Promote Sustainable Tourism Growth
Bin Touq emphasised that the UAE attaches significant importance to the tourism
sector, recognising 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.

Bin Touq elaborated on the UAE's experience in developing its tourism sector in
accordance with international best practices and making it more flexible and sustainable
and 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 Dh450 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
Bin Touq noted the importance of ecotourism in supporting the sustainability of the
tourism sector and preserving natural reserves and desert attractions.

He presented examples of sustainable tourism in the UAE, including the Al Marmoom
Conservation Reserve, which balances the experiences of visitors with the preservation

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