The National Tourism Strategy 2031 is designed to elevate the UAE tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP to Dh450 billion.
The UAE's thriving tourism sector is projected to increase its contribution to the national economy to Dh236 billion in 2024, aligning with the country's strategic goal to elevate tourism’s GDP share to Dh450 billion by 2031, stated Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Al Marri highlighted that tourism's share of the UAE’s GDP rose by 26 percent in 2023 over the previous year, surpassing 2019 figures by 14 percent. Currently, tourism contributes Dh220 billion to the GDP, representing 11.7 percent. This figure is anticipated to reach 12 percent in 2024, according to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Leading the UAE delegation at the Riyadh forum, Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri discussed the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets raising the UAE tourism sector's GDP contribution to Dh450 billion and establishing the country as a top tourism destination by the next decade. He also mentioned the launch of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, setting an ambitious goal of producing up to 700 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel annually by 2030. At the conference titled "International Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development," Al Marri highlighted that the tourism sector employed 809,000 people in various fields across the country in 2023, representing 12.3% of the total labor market. This marks a 5% increase from 2022 and an 11.4% increase over 2019 figures. He projected that employment in tourism would rise to 833,000 by 2024. Additionally, he noted that the UAE currently boasts 1,235 hotels providing 210,000 rooms to accommodate guests and visitors.
Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri noted that the UAE, in collaboration with other GCC countries, is working to introduce a unified GCC tourist visa. He stated that this visa would enhance the visibility of diverse tourism destinations within the GCC, attracting more tourists and increasing hotel occupancy, thereby positioning the region as a premier destination for both regional and international tourists.
Additionally, Al Marri emphasized the UAE's dedication to promoting sustainability across various sectors, not limited to tourism. This commitment is crucial for addressing current global environmental and social challenges, and it supports the growth of the tourism sector. He highlighted the need for increased collaborative efforts to achieve a balance between economic growth, environmental conservation, and social responsibility. The minister also underlined the importance of ecotourism in maintaining the sustainability of the tourism sector and preserving natural reserves and desert attractions.
Furthermore, he addressed the challenges facing sustainable tourism, including the need to upskill the workforce to enhance their performance and expertise in the tourism industry and to encourage innovation and creativity across different tourism activities and fields.
The minister emphasized the significant role of the tourism sector in the UAE's economy, highlighting it as a vital contributor to national economic growth and enhancing the country's competitiveness and diversity.
"The UAE has effectively showcased its diverse tourism offerings in recent years, promoting the unique attractions and features of all seven emirates to attract more global companies to its markets. These successes have bolstered both national and international investments in tourism projects, further solidifying the UAE's stature as a prominent player in the regional and global travel and tourism landscape,"
he stated.
News Source: Khaleej Times
