Page 204 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

5/1/24, 9:15 AM H.E. Bin Touq leads UAE delegation participating in World Economic Forum in Riyadh
12 per cent of the country's GDP, according to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism
Council.

In addition, this vital sector provided 809000 of jobs in various activities and tourism fields in the
country in 2023, equivalent to 12.3 per cent of the total labor market. With five per cent growth from
2022, exceeding 2019 levels with 11.4 per cent 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

H.E. 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, 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. More than 1,000 participants attended the
Forum, including senior officials, international experts, opinion leaders and intellectuals from
government and private sectors, international organizations and academic institutions to discuss
various global economic issues and developments with an aim to find common solutions to address
them.

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