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goals for the UAE to become the premier tourism destination within the next decade. Furthermore,
Bin Touq shed light on the importance of ecotourism in preserving natural reserves and desert
attractions, with examples like the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve and Sir Baniyas Island
serving as benchmarks for sustainable tourism in the UAE.

The UAE's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth, bouncing back from the
pandemic's impacts with a 26% growth in 2023 compared to 2022, even surpassing 2019 levels by
14%. This resurgence has seen the sector's contribution to the country's GDP reach 11.7%,
providing employment for 809,000 individuals across various activities and fields in 2023, which
represents 12.3% of the total labor market. Additionally, efforts are being made to introduce a
unified GCC tourist visa to promote diverse tourism destinations across GCC countries and attract
more tourists.

The WEF Special Meeting in Riyadh marked a significant milestone as it was the first meeting held
outside of Davos following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event saw participation from over 1,000
attendees, including senior officials, experts, leaders from government, private sectors,
international organizations, and academic institutions. This gathering aimed at addressing global
economic issues and exploring common solutions.

In conclusion, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri's participation at the WEF Special Meeting underscored
the UAE's dedication to sustainable tourism development. Through strategic initiatives and a focus
on sustainability, the UAE is poised to continue attracting investment and diversifying its tourism
offerings, reinforcing its status as a leading global destination.

https://www.onearabia.me/local/uae-delegation-at-wef-meeting-riyadh-focus-on-sustainable-
tourism-011-27197.html