The UAE participated in the G20 tourism ministers’ meeting held recently in Brazil, with H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, representing the nation. This gathering aimed to foster cooperation among member states and discuss opportunities for sustainable tourism development.
In his address, H.E. Bin Touq remarked, “Thanks to its wise leadership’s directives, the UAE has become a world-leading tourism destination. The meeting is an important step towards developing new initiatives that support the sustainability of tourism regionally and globally.”
Highlighting UAE Tourism Success
During the meeting, H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the remarkable growth of the UAE’s tourism sector, which surged by 26% in 2023 compared to 2022, surpassing 2019 figures by 14%. The sector contributed approximately AED 220 billion to the national GDP, representing 11.7%. Furthermore, the country’s airports welcomed around 72 million passengers in the first half of 2024, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. The UAE’s 1,240 hotels recorded over 53 million guest nights, achieving an impressive occupancy rate of 80%, one of the highest worldwide.
These figures highlight the UAE’s significant position in the global tourism market, underscoring the sector’s importance in enhancing the national economy’s competitiveness and supporting digital transformation. Additionally, the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in tourism aligns with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
Tourism as an Economic Catalyst
H.E. Bin Touq stressed the importance of tourism as a key driver of economic growth, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The UAE remains committed to supporting global efforts for sustainable tourism development, improving resilience, and promoting collaboration for advanced technology localization in tourism. “The meeting is an important step towards enhancing the exchange of expertise and deliberations on mechanisms for cooperation among the G20 countries, to develop innovative tourism initiatives that ensure the sustainable development of the sector and provide it with more opportunities,” he stated.
UAE’s Initiatives for Tourism Development
H.E. Bin Touq also elaborated on several initiatives and policies the UAE has implemented to enhance domestic tourism. These efforts have significantly contributed to building a distinguished tourism infrastructure in line with international standards. The UAE prioritizes the development of premier and diverse tourism offerings while ensuring high-quality services. The tourism sector plays a crucial role in the UAE’s economic diversification strategy, which aims to increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion by 2031.
Expressing gratitude, H.E. Bin Touq thanked Brazil for hosting the G20 Summit and acknowledged the Brazilian presidency’s efforts in ensuring its success. He also commended G20 members and international tourism organizations for their contributions to promoting sustainable tourism globally.
Moreover, he highlighted the ongoing growth in tourism exchanges between the UAE and Brazil, with over 183,000 Brazilian tourists visiting the UAE in 2023, reflecting a 46.4% increase from 2022. Currently, there are 50 flights connecting the two countries monthly, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.
Meetings with Global Tourism Leaders
On the sidelines of the meeting, H.E. Bin Touq held discussions with H.E. Celso Sabino de Oliveira, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism; H.E. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Indian Minister of Tourism; H.E. Patricia de Lille, South African Minister of Tourism; and H.E. Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency in Azerbaijan.
During these discussions, H.E. Bin Touq shared insights into the UAE’s promising tourism sector and the new initiatives underway. He emphasized the importance of effective partnerships with global stakeholders to foster economic and social advancement, solidifying the UAE’s prominent position in the international tourism landscape.
In a meeting with H.E. Fuad Nagiyev, they discussed Azerbaijan’s initiatives in tourism, including hosting COP29 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and organizing a tourism ministers’ meeting during the event. They explored collaborative plans to enhance tourism connectivity and capitalize on the diverse opportunities in both markets.
The UAE and Brazilian representatives also discussed joint investment opportunities in tourism and enhancing cooperation between tourism enterprises. They focused on strengthening bilateral initiatives to develop innovative tourism and leisure projects, facilitating mutual tourism flows.
In a separate meeting, H.E. Bin Touq and the Indian Minister of Tourism explored ways to strengthen tourism relations within the existing economic partnership, discussing avenues for increasing flight connections and reviewing progress on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in the tourism sector.
H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with H.E. Patricia de Lille focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various tourism activities, sharing expertise, and implementing policies that promote sustainability in both nations, thereby fostering shared economic growth.
