UAE’s Minister of Economy Boosts Tourism Sector at World Economic Forum in Riyadh: Pushing for a Unified Gulf Tourist Visa
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council and Hospitality Advisory Council for the UAE, led a delegation to the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The forum focused on “International Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development” and took place from April 28 to 29. The delegation included Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy.
During a session at the forum, Bin Touq emphasized the importance of working with other Gulf Cooperation Council countries to activate a unified Gulf tourist visa and promote the region as a leading tourist destination in the world. He also discussed sustainable tourism development and highlighted challenges facing sustainable tourism such as improving worker skills and promoting innovation in the industry.
The UAE’s tourism sector has seen significant growth and recovery from the pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in terms of GDP contribution and job creation. In his address to the forum, Bin Touq showcased projects like the Al Marmoum Desert Reserve and Sir Bani Yas Island that have helped develop sustainable practices and promote eco-tourism in the country. He also mentioned successful hosting of international events like Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28 which have further bolstered growth in tourism sector in UAE.
Overall, Bin Touq emphasized that sustainability is crucial in tourism development, while highlighting how well-positioned UAE is to achieve sustainable growth through its efforts towards enhancing infrastructure for tourists, promoting eco-friendly practices, supporting job opportunities for workers in this sector.
