Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – 2:05 PM
ABU DHABI, 14th December, 2020 (WAM) — His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, affirmed that the UAE, thanks to the vision and directives of the wise leadership, has paid great attention to the development of the tourism sector, as a major contributor to the diversification of the national economy, and an important tributary in enhancing competitiveness. The UAE is on the global tourism map, and from this standpoint, the country launched unique projects and tourism initiatives during the past years with the aim of supporting the growth and leadership of the tourism sector, attracting tourists from all over the world, creating new investment opportunities in the travel, tourism and aviation sectors, and attracting more international tourism companies to the country’s markets. .
This came during a meeting of the Emirates Tourism Council, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq, and with the membership of heads and directors of all local tourism authorities in the country.
The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the member authorities at the federal and local levels to implement the objectives and plans of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, aimed at raising the country’s position as the best tourist identity around the world, and consolidating its position as a leading tourist destination. The strategy also aims to raise the contribution of the tourism sector to the gross domestic product of the national economy. to 450 billion dirhams by 2031, attracting new investments worth 100 billion dirhams for the tourism sector in the country, and attracting 40 million guests in hotel establishments.
His Excellency Bin Touq said: “The third edition of the World’s Most Beautiful Winter Campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, represents a new phase to push the national tourism sector for further growth, prosperity and leadership. And support the tourism system in the country, and promote the diversification of the national economy, and raise the position of the UAE as a sustainable tourism destination globally.
He pointed out that the campaign provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the UAE and highlight the excellence of its tourism products and services, and allows local and international tourists the opportunity to enjoy tourism privacy and the rich cultural, historical, heritage and environmental heritage, and to experience an exceptional tourism experience during the winter vacation.
The Council also discussed mechanisms to support efforts between the various government agencies and the private sector to achieve the goals of the “The Most Beautiful Winter in the World” campaign in its third session, as this campaign contributes to supporting domestic tourism in particular by promoting tourist, entertainment and cultural attractions in the seven emirates of the country, with the aim of attracting Tourists from all over the world to enjoy the UAE winter.
The campaign achieved remarkable success during the first and second sessions, as it attracted regarding 2.5 million tourists, with revenues for hotel establishments amounting to regarding 2.5 billion dirhams.
The “The Most Beautiful Winter in the World” campaign, in its third edition, carries the slogan “Our Heritage” to highlight this year the elements of the heritage and national identity, and the system of authentic Emirati values inherited, rooted in the formation of the local community, carried by parents from the grandparents, and inherited by children and subsequent generations, in a manner Automatic and sustainable, with full support from various state institutions.
The country has succeeded in maintaining its position among the 12 best destinations in the world, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually.
The tourism sector also contributes more than 177 billion dirhams to the country’s gross domestic product, and the hotel occupancy rate in the country is among the highest in the world at a rate of 72.8%, and the number of hotel guests reached 12 million, with a growth rate of 42% during the first half of 2022, and the UAE ranked first. At the level of the Middle East in the Global Tourism Competitiveness Index for the year 2021.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, His Excellency Saleh Muhammad Al Jaziri, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and His Excellency Saeed Abdullah Al Samahi, Director General of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority. His Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics, Alia Al Hammadi, Vice President of the Media Office of the UAE Government, Youssef Lootah, Acting CEO of the Sector for Strategy and Institutional Performance, Haitham Sultan Al Ali, Director of the Tourism Department of the Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain, and Saud Al Jasmi, Director of Events Section of the Tourism Development Department in Ajman.
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Dina Omar
