Al Ain Designated As The Capital Of Arab Tourism For 2026 By Arab Ministerial Council

Al Ain has been designated as the "Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026" by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. This announcement was made during the council's 28th session in Baghdad, Iraq. The UAE delegation, led by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, represented Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism.

The recognition underscores Al Ain's growing international appeal as a premier heritage and cultural destination. Bin Touq stated, "Being named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026 is a significant milestone for the UAE. It reflects the qualitative progress achieved through our leadership’s strategic vision, which recognised early the importance of investing in tourism as a driver of future economic growth. This recognition further strengthens the UAE’s standing on the global tourism map."

This achievement aligns with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to enhance national tourism identity. The strategy targets attracting 40 million hotel guests annually and increasing tourism's GDP contribution to AED450 billion by 2031. Bin Touq emphasised their commitment to a diversified and sustainable tourism ecosystem driven by innovation and strong public-private partnerships.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General of Tourism at Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted Al Ain's rich heritage and cultural sites. He said these elements solidify its status as a unique regional and global destination. He added that this achievement boosts efforts to build an integrated tourism ecosystem in Al Ain through local and international partnerships.

During the council meeting, Al Saleh reiterated the UAE’s dedication to enhancing Arab cooperation in tourism. He noted that global shifts necessitate unified efforts to create an integrated ecosystem capable of adapting to future trends. He stressed that tourism remains crucial for sustainable development and regional prosperity.

The session also addressed advancing sustainable tourism in the region, boosting intra-Arab tourism, and supporting innovation. Discussions included smart tourism initiatives to improve visitor experiences, accessible tourism for people with disabilities, cultural heritage protection, and developing statistics for informed decision-making.

Recent Achievements in UAE Tourism

The UAE's tourism sector continues to excel regionally and globally. Recent achievements include Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais being elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism for 2026–2029. Additionally, Masfout village in Ajman was recognised as the ‘Best Tourism Village in the World’ for 2025.

The sector has seen increased hotel guests, revenues, and investment inflows. In 2024 alone, it contributed AED257.3 billion to GDP, accounting for 13 percent of the national economy.

Future Prospects

Council members congratulated the UAE on Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais' election as Secretary-General of UN Tourism (2026–2029). They affirmed that this reflects the UAE’s advanced position on the global tourism map and its active role regionally and internationally.

The meeting concluded with discussions on promoting Arab destinations by highlighting their rich cultural assets. The aim is to position them as leading destinations globally while exploring cooperation in medical tourism and developing joint products.

With inputs from WAM