Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, stressed that the tourism sector contributed to the UAE's economy, registering an 11.7 percent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, amounting to AED220 billion.
Speaking at the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, Al Marri said that the sector is anticipated to contribute 12 percent to the UAE's GDP, equating to AED236 billion.
The 31st edition of ATM, being hosted at Dubai World Travel Centre (DWTC) until 9th May, discussed Gulf-wide collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and infrastructure development.
During a thorough discussion, ministerial panelists emphasized the significance of inter-regional initiatives in advancing the GCC tourism industry while maintaining a balance between collaboration and competition among destinations. The planned GCC Unified Tourist Visa was highlighted as a crucial enabler for the region, alongside sustainability, infrastructure, and culture. This unified visa is expected to enhance the GCC's appeal as a connected destination, improving accessibility and driving key performance indicators like length of stay, average spend, and employment. The panelists stressed the importance of ensuring that the travel industry positively impacts local businesses, communities, and ecosystems, fostering long-term tourism sustainability. They also discussed how current and future infrastructure developments, including airports, cruise terminals, and the upcoming GCC Railway, will complement the unified visa, facilitating and optimizing region-wide access for both domestic and international visitors.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said,
“While it’s clear that healthy competition will continue to play an important role in strengthening the GCC’s world-class tourism offering, it was also encouraging to hear how collaboration is enabling the region to become more than the sum of its parts in terms of attracting global travellers. We are immensely grateful to this year’s ministerial participants, who provided a diverse range of valuable insights into the region’s unified tourism future.”
News Source: Emirates News Agency
