UAE Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Engages With Spain And Croatia's Tourism Ministers To Boost Cooperation

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, recently embarked on a European tour, visiting Spain and Croatia. During this trip, he met with Tonči Glavina, Croatia's Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Rosario Sánchez Grau, Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism. The primary aim was to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector.

The discussions focused on sharing experiences and practices related to sustainable tourism development. Bin Touq emphasised the UAE's commitment to enhancing partnerships with European markets. He highlighted the importance of fostering collaborations in various tourism sub-sectors to support economic growth and create opportunities for shared prosperity.

During these meetings, Bin Touq underscored the significance of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. This strategy is pivotal for sustaining the competitiveness and sustainability of the UAE's tourism sector over the next decade. It aims to position the UAE as a leading global destination by increasing its contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion.

The strategy also targets attracting AED 100 billion in tourism investments and welcoming 40 million guests by 2031. These objectives are part of a broader effort to elevate the UAE's status in global tourism through strategic initiatives and infrastructure development.

Bin Touq reviewed key performance indicators for the UAE's tourism sector during his discussions. In 2024, hotel revenues reached AED 45 billion, marking a three per cent year-over-year growth. The country's hotel occupancy rate stood at an impressive 78%, one of the highest globally.

Additionally, 16 new hotels were launched across the UAE in 2024, bringing the total number of hotels to 1,251 by year's end. These developments reflect significant progress in enhancing the country's tourism infrastructure.

Strengthening International Ties

In his meeting with Rosario Sánchez Grau, Bin Touq explored recent trends in global tourism and strategies for sustainable growth. They discussed potential partnerships to boost mutual tourism flows between their countries.

The number of Spanish tourists visiting the UAE reached 150,231 in 2024, showing a more than 14% increase from 2023. Approximately 48 weekly flights operate between the UAE and Spain, facilitated by airlines from both nations.

Collaborations with Croatia

Bin Touq also engaged with Tonči Glavina to discuss enhancing cooperation between tourism companies in the UAE and Croatia. They focused on creating joint efforts for new tourism and leisure programs aimed at promoting mutual tourist exchanges.

Currently, there are over 42 monthly flights between the UAE and Croatia operated by airlines from both countries. This connectivity supports ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in tourism.

The UAE remains committed to supporting global tourism growth initiatives through collaboration with UN Tourism and its member states. By expanding cooperation across various sub-sectors, it aims to sustain its position as a prominent player in international tourism.

With inputs from WAM