Latest news with #NationalTourismStrategy2031
Web Release
19-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period.' H.E. added: 'These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today.' The Minister of Economy continued: 'The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.
Mid East Info
18-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
Tourism and hospitality sectors see sustained growth as hotel occupancy rates reach 81.3% in Q1 2025 The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period.' H.E. added: 'These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today.' The Minister of Economy continued: 'The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.
CairoScene
01-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
UAE Welcomes 29.2 Million Visitors So Far in 2025
Hotel revenues have surpassed AED 45 billion as tourism continues to drive national growth. Jun 01, 2025 The United Arab Emirates has recorded 29.2 million international visitors so far in 2025, marking a 15.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The surge reflects continued momentum in the country's tourism sector, fuelled by global events, expanded infrastructure, and sustained marketing efforts. Dubai remained the primary destination, attracting 18.72 million international overnight visitors in the past year, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The emirate also achieved one of the world's highest hotel occupancy rates at 77.4%. Across the UAE, hotel revenues exceeded AED 45 billion, while national occupancy rates reached an average of 78%—among the highest globally. These figures support the goals of the UAE's National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to attract 40 million annual hotel guests and generate AED 100 billion in new tourism investments.
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
H.E. Bin Touq participates in World Tourism Forum in Prague and highlights UAE's leadership in promoting sustainable tourism through technology & innovation
UAE continues to enhance its position as a global hub for sustainable tourism and plays an active role in shaping the sector's future through greater international collaboration His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, attended the World Tourism Forum 2025 held on 12 and 13 May in Prague, organised by the UN Tourism in collaboration with the Government of the Czech Republic under the theme 'Shaping the Future of Tourism through Innovation and Technology.' The event brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore the latest trends and best practices in tourism and hospitality, focusing on AI and advanced technologies as well as their role in the sustainable development of the sector. H.E. Bin Touq highlighted how the UAE has prioritised the tourism sector as a key strategic pillar of the national economy. The country continues to strengthen its position as a leading global destination by investing in innovation, adopting latest digital solutions, and forging strategic partnerships with various countries and leading global institutions. H.E. added: 'The UAE has successfully established its position on the global tourism landscape, strengthening its role in the growth and prosperity of the sector as a global hub for sustainable tourism. This was achieved through developing advanced infrastructure, enhancing innovation and integrating technology into tourism policies, and actively contributing to shaping the future of global tourism through greater international collaboration.' The Minister of Economy highlighted that participation in the Global Tourism Forum offers a significant opportunity to enhance international collaboration and exchange expertise with industry leaders and key decision-makers from around the world. H.E. added that the Forum is an ideal platform for showcasing the UAE's success in developing smart and sustainable tourism offerings and leveraging cutting-edge technology including AI and other digital tools to drive innovation and sustainable growth of the sector. H.E. bin Touq added: 'We believe that forging global partnerships and developing national talent are key to ensuring a prosperous future for tourism. We look forward to enhancing collaboration with our international partners to achieve shared goals in this vital sector.' His Excellency also affirmed that the UAE's efforts to transform tourism into one of the most sustainable drivers of economic growth is driven by the National Tourism Strategy 2031. It aims to position the UAE as the world's best tourism destination, raise the sector's GDP contribution to AED 450 billion, attract AED 100 billion in tourism investments within the UAE's markets, and welcome 40 million hotel guests. The World Tourism Forum 2025 explored the potential of AI and cutting-edge technologies in shaping the future of tourism. It featured discussions and workshops on innovation, societal responsibility, education, and talent attraction, in addition to highlighting leading projects in smart tourism fields and sustainability. The Forum also included sessions on big data utilisation and the environmental aspects of tourism, with the participation of experts and officials from across sectors.
Tourism Breaking News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
UAE continues to enhance its position as a global hub for sustainable tourism : HE Bin Touq
Post Views: 84 His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, attended the World Tourism Forum 2025 in Prague, organised by the UN Tourism in collaboration with the Government of the Czech Republic under the theme 'Shaping the Future of Tourism through Innovation and Technology.' H.E. Bin Touq highlighted how the UAE has prioritised the tourism sector as a key strategic pillar of the national economy. The country continues to strengthen its position as a leading global destination by investing in innovation, adopting latest digital solutions, and forging strategic partnerships with various countries and leading global institutions. H.E. added: 'The UAE has successfully established its position on the global tourism landscape, strengthening its role in the growth and prosperity of the sector as a global hub for sustainable tourism. This was achieved through developing advanced infrastructure, enhancing innovation and integrating technology into tourism policies, and actively contributing to shaping the future of global tourism through greater international collaboration.' The Minister of Economy highlighted that participation in the Global Tourism Forum offers a significant opportunity to enhance international collaboration and exchange expertise with industry leaders and key decision-makers from around the world. H.E. added that the Forum is an ideal platform for showcasing the UAE's success in developing smart and sustainable tourism offerings and leveraging cutting-edge technology including AI and other digital tools to drive innovation and sustainable growth of the sector. H.E. bin Touq added: 'We believe that forging global partnerships and developing national talent are key to ensuring a prosperous future for tourism. We look forward to enhancing collaboration with our international partners to achieve shared goals in this vital sector.' His Excellency also affirmed that the UAE's efforts to transform tourism into one of the most sustainable drivers of economic growth is driven by the National Tourism Strategy 2031. It aims to position the UAE as the world's best tourism destination, raise the sector's GDP contribution to AED 450 billion, attract AED 100 billion in tourism investments within the UAE's markets, and welcome 40 million hotel guests. The World Tourism Forum 2025 explored the potential of AI and cutting-edge technologies in shaping the future of tourism. It featured discussions and workshops on innovation, societal responsibility, education, and talent attraction, in addition to highlighting leading projects in smart tourism fields and sustainability. The Forum also included sessions on big data utilisation and the environmental aspects of tourism, with the participation of experts and officials from across sectors. The event brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore the latest trends and best practices in tourism and hospitality, focusing on AI and advanced technologies as well as their role in the sustainable development of the sector.
