The UAE and BRICS Members will open new avenues for sustainable tourism partnerships.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Council for Tourism, led the UAE delegation at the meeting of the BRICS members tourism ministers held in Moscow.
The meeting, chaired by Russia, focused on the theme “Enhancing Diversity for Fair Development and Security in the World.”
Its objective was to strengthen joint cooperation among member states in supporting sustainable tourism development and discussing diverse tourism opportunities.
Bin Touq emphasized the UAE’s commitment, guided by its wise leadership, to enhance tourism cooperation with BRICS countries.
The UAE aims to open new avenues for sustainable tourism partnerships, contributing to economic growth, cultural exchange, and expertise sharing.
These efforts position the UAE as a global tourism destination in line with the goals of “Vision 2031.”
Facilitating travel and increasing tourist flows among BRICS members states
During BRICS Tourism Ministers Meeting, Bin Touq stated:
“We are committed to continuing our work with BRICS partners to develop a flexible and sustainable tourism sector.
This includes enhancing air connectivity, infrastructure, digital transformation, and technology adoption across various tourism sectors and activities.
By facilitating travel and increasing tourist flows among member states, we aim to provide a unique tourism experience for travelers worldwide.”
He highlighted that the tourism sector regionally and globally is entering a new era of growth and prosperity.
Strong recovery indicators in global tourism industry growth reached 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
While the generated revenues are approx.~. $1.6 trillion, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
This drives us to further invest in tourism development.
About the UAE National Tourism Strategy 2031
The UAE’s tourism sector serves as a robust bridge for enhancing national economic growth and sustainability.
The country has developed this vital sector through leading tourism projects, initiatives, and strategies.
Notably, the “National Tourism Strategy 2031” aims to elevate the UAE’s status as a premier global tourism destination.
It targets a contribution of AED 450 billion to the country’s GDP.
It also aims to attract investments worth AED 100 billion in the next decade.
Moreover, the UAE launched the “National Tourism Charter”.
The charter strategically enhances sustainable tourism growth, preserves heritage, nature, and culture for future generations.
The establishment of the “Hospitality Advisory Council” further boosts the country’s attractiveness for local and foreign investments in hospitality, hotels, and accommodations.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi witnessed a large turnout during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, as the total number of visitors reached 92,531 visitors, while the peak number of visitors during the Eid reached 17,598 visitors, on the second day of the blessed Eid. pic.twitter.com/tDmU0fBKRG
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) June 20, 2024
Leadership in global competitiveness indices
Bin Touq presented several indicators and results showcasing the UAE’s leadership in global competitiveness indices.
In 2023, the tourism sector achieved significant growth of 26% compared to 2022, surpassing 2019 levels by 14%.
It contributed approximately AED 220 billion to the country’s GDP, equivalent to 11.7% of the total GDP.
The UAE ranked first regionally and 18th globally in the 2024 Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.
It also ranked sixth globally in terms of income from tourism revenues, reaching AED 191 billion in 2023.
The UAE extends a helping hand to the Palestinian people
The UAE’s humanitarian approach towards the Palestinian people embodies its established positions over the past decades by extending a helping hand to them in various circumstances, and continuing this approach in providing… pic.twitter.com/CbVXba6Otx— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) June 23, 2024
The UAE remains committed to promoting sustainable tourism in collaboration with BRICS members.
Collaborating with the United Nations World Tourism Organization aims to enhance data collection and analysis, supporting sustainable practices across various tourism sectors.
Mentioning that BRICS serves as an essential platform for economic, trade, cultural, and tourism cooperation among member countries, fostering mutual development and understanding.
