Page 213 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

UAE Delegation Highlights Sustainable Tourism At

WEF Meeting In Riyadh

By OneArabia

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin
Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy for the UAE, spearheaded a delegation to discuss pivotal
themes surrounding Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development. The forum's
agenda was heavily focused on sustainable tourism development and its potential as a key
economic growth engine. Bin Touq underscored the significant impact of tourism on global
economic expansion and its critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by
2030.

During his address, Bin Touq elaborated on how tourism not only fosters job creation and attracts
foreign investment but also plays a vital role in enhancing infrastructure. With projections indicating
that the tourism sector will contribute 11.6% to the global GDP and support employment for 430
million people worldwide by 2033, the emphasis on sustainability within this sector has never been
more crucial. This is especially pertinent given the current environmental and social challenges
faced globally.

The UAE's commitment to bolstering its tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices
was highlighted by Bin Touq. Initiatives such as the National Tourism Strategy 2031 aim to elevate
the tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP significantly. The strategy outlines ambitious

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