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of the environment, in addition to Sir Baniyas Island which has ecotourism potential.

He also highlighted major international events hosted by the country such as Expo 2020
Dubai and COP28, which also played a prominent role in promoting tourism growth.

UAE Tourism Sector Achieves Record in Key Performance Indicators
Reviewing performance indicators and results achieved by UAE tourism in 2023, Bin
Touq confirmed its full recovery from the pandemic and return to higher levels of growth
than 2019.

The national tourism sector grew by a significant 26 percent in 2023 compared to that of
2022 and surpassed 2019 levels by 14 percent.

Its contribution to the country's GDP amounted to Dh220 billion, accounting for 11.7
percent.

This is expected to rise in 2024 to Dh236 billion, equivalent to 12 percent of the
country's GDP, according to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

In addition, this vital sector provided 809,000 jobs in various activities and tourism fields
in the country in 2023, equivalent to 12.3 percent of the total labour market.

With a five percent growth from 2022, exceeding 2019 levels with 11.4 percent growth,
the number of jobs it creates is expected to reach 833,000 in 2024.

There are currently 1,235 hotels in the UAE providing a total of 210,000 rooms for
guests and visitors.

Unified GCC Tourism Visa
Bin Touq explained that efforts are underway in collaboration with other GCC partners
to launch the unified GCC tourist visa.

Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism
destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus
increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading
destinations for regional and international tourists alike.

World Economy Forum Special Meeting, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh hosted the special meeting of the World Economic Forum,
its first meeting outside Davos after the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4482395/bin-touq-leads-uae-delegation-participating-in-wef-
special-m