UAE Delegation Highlights Sustainable Tourism At WEF Meeting In Riyadh

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy for the UAE, spearheaded a delegation to discuss pivotal themes surrounding Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development. The forum's agenda was heavily focused on sustainable tourism development and its potential as a key economic growth engine. Bin Touq underscored the significant impact of tourism on global economic expansion and its critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

During his address, Bin Touq elaborated on how tourism not only fosters job creation and attracts foreign investment but also plays a vital role in enhancing infrastructure. With projections indicating that the tourism sector will contribute 11.6% to the global GDP and support employment for 430 million people worldwide by 2033, the emphasis on sustainability within this sector has never been more crucial. This is especially pertinent given the current environmental and social challenges faced globally.

The UAE's commitment to bolstering its tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices was highlighted by Bin Touq. Initiatives such as the National Tourism Strategy 2031 aim to elevate the tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP significantly. The strategy outlines ambitious goals for the UAE to become the premier tourism destination within the next decade. Furthermore, Bin Touq shed light on the importance of ecotourism in preserving natural reserves and desert attractions, with examples like the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve and Sir Baniyas Island serving as benchmarks for sustainable tourism in the UAE.

The UAE's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth, bouncing back from the pandemic's impacts with a 26% growth in 2023 compared to 2022, even surpassing 2019 levels by 14%. This resurgence has seen the sector's contribution to the country's GDP reach 11.7%, providing employment for 809,000 individuals across various activities and fields in 2023, which represents 12.3% of the total labor market. Additionally, efforts are being made to introduce a unified GCC tourist visa to promote diverse tourism destinations across GCC countries and attract more tourists.

The WEF Special Meeting in Riyadh marked a significant milestone as it was the first meeting held outside of Davos following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event saw participation from over 1,000 attendees, including senior officials, experts, leaders from government, private sectors, international organizations, and academic institutions. This gathering aimed at addressing global economic issues and exploring common solutions.

In conclusion, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri's participation at the WEF Special Meeting underscored the UAE's dedication to sustainable tourism development. Through strategic initiatives and a focus on sustainability, the UAE is poised to continue attracting investment and diversifying its tourism offerings, reinforcing its status as a leading global destination.

With inputs from WAM