Page 219 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

5/1/24, 9:16 AM PRESSR: H.E. Bin Touq leads UAE delegation participating in World Economic Forum in Riyadh — TradingView News
Reviewing performance indicators and results achieved by UAE

tourism in 2023, H.E. 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 per cent in 2023

compared to that of 2022 and surpassed 2019 levels by 14 per cent.

Its contribution to the country's GDP amounted to AED 220 billion,

accounting for 11.7 per cent. This is expected to rise in 2024 to AED

236 billion, equivalent to 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

https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2024-04-29:newsml_ZawHSML4:0-pressr-h-e-bin-touq-leads-uae-delegation-participating-in-world-ec… 5/6