Sheikh Mohammed launches national tourism strategy to boost competitiveness

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has launched a tourism strategy to strengthen the country’s status as a tourism hotspot.

The UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 comes under the ‘Projects of the 50’, and aims to raise the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to Dhs450bn in 2031, with an annual increase of Dhs27bn.

It will also make efforts to attract new investments worth Dhs100bn to the country’s tourism sector, and welcome 40 million hotel guests by 2031.

. @HHShkMohd: We approved UAE’s 2031 national tourism strategy. #UAE is among the top 10 global tourist destinations. The goal is to boost our competitiveness by attracting an additional AED100 billion in tourism investments & welcoming 40 million hotel guests in 2031. pic.twitter.com/OGtheUl2ul

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 11, 2022

The strategy includes 25 initiatives and policies to support the development of the country’s tourism sector. It is based on key directions, which include:  strengthening the unified national tourism identity; developing and diversifying specialised tourism products; building tourism capabilities; encouraging the contribution of national cadres in the tourism sector; and increasing investments in all tourism sectors.

The strategy comes in partnership with various federal and local tourism authorities, national airlines, and international institutions and companies.

. @HHShkMohd: Tourism is essential in diversifying our economy & enhancing UAE’s competitiveness. In Q1 2022, UAE airports received 22 million passengers & hotels recorded AED11 billion in revenue. The goal is to raise tourism’s contribution to GDP by AED450 billion in 2031. pic.twitter.com/UAnM9l8uyT

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 11, 2022

The strategy’s initiatives and directions will enhance the country’s efforts in providing an attractive national tourism environment, integrated tourism services, diverse destinations, and a developed infrastructure for the tourism sector, official news agency WAM reported.

It is also expected to encourage investment in various related sectors, including travel, aviation and hospitality; creating new investment opportunities; beckoning global companies to the local market, and developing tourism data and statistics.

The strategy comes in cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and various local and federal entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the UAE Central Bank, the General Civil Aviation Authority, the UAE airlines, the World Tourism Organisation, a number of international companies and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.