UAE eyes Dh100b investment in tourism sector

The UAE has evolved a comprehensive strategy to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the national gross domestic product (GDP) to Dh450 billion by 2031, its top official says.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said the strategy plans to attract investments in the tourism sector worth Dh100 billion and bring 40 million hotel guests to the region. At present, the overall contribution of tourism in the GDP is valued at Dh177 billion.

While delivering his keynote address at the inauguration of 9th Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum, the minister emphasised that the UAE has developed a tourism infrastructure and diversified the sector which is further enhanced by the National Tourism Strategy 2031 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"The strategy has been implemented to bolster UAE’s position as the most attractive tourist destination globally through the diversity and unique advantages of the seven emirates," the minister said while addressing the forum in Sharjah on Thursday.

Collaboration with partners

Al Marri noted that his ministry is collaborating with local and federal partners dedicated to tourism, including airlines, the World Tourism Organisation as well as other partners.

"Their goal is to implement 25 tourist initiatives and policies through which it aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the national GDP to Dh450 billion by 2031, attract investments worth Dh100 billion and bring 40 million hotel guests to the region," Al Marri said.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the forum under the theme of “Building a sustainable future for tourism”.

After the inauguration, Al Qasimi toured the exhibition that saw the participation of several government entities, and explored their tourist projects, attractions, initiatives and their impact on the emirate’s economy. He also awarded the sponsors, partners and speakers at the forum.

During the opening ceremony, a short video was screened about Sharjah, its key characteristics and diverse tourist attractions in fields like the environment, sport and culture among others. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) organised the event at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

UAE tourism ranks high

The Minister of Economy also shed light on leading tourist achievements in the UAE, noting that as a destination it ranked first in the Middle East and 25th internationally according to the Tourist Competitive Index in 2021.

The UAE also ranked 11th globally for the most attractive destinations in 2020, and over 10 years it maintained its position as one of the first 12 destinations in the world which attracts more than 10 million visitors annually.

With the return of tourists, the UAE’s tourism revenues surpassed $5 billion in the first half of this year. As the international travel resumed after the pendemic restrictions are over, the UAE airports received 22 million passengers in the first quarter of this year alone.

Diverse portfolio

— muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com