Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Tourism Council has unveiled the 'National Tourism Charter,' a pivotal component of the National Tourism Strategy 2031. The initiative, launched during the second meeting of the Emirates Tourism Council for 2024, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Council Chairman, aims to synchronize national efforts to foster sustainable growth in the UAE's tourism industry. The primary goal is to elevate the country's global and regional competitiveness, positioning it as a prominent player in the international travel and tourism arena.
Strategic Partners and Collaborative Endeavors
Strategic partners backing this initiative include industry giants such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Anantara Resorts, Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel, HYM Investments, Al Hamra Group, Rotana Hotels Group, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority 'Shurooq,' Emaar Hospitality Group, Jumeirah Group, and InterContinental Hotels and Resorts Group in the Middle East, Africa, and India region.
Record-Breaking Achievements in UAE Tourism
H.E. Bin Touq outlined several notable achievements in the UAE's tourism sector during the meeting. Hotel revenues surged to AED 43.5 billion in 2023, witnessing a remarkable 15 percent growth from the previous year. The number of guests in UAE hotels reached 28 million in 2023, indicating an 11 percent increase from 2022, resulting in a total of 97.3 million hotel nights. Furthermore, the hotel occupancy rate peaked at 75.4 percent in 2023, surpassing the 71.2 percent recorded in 2022, solidifying the UAE's position globally.
Promoting National Tourism Identity Globally
The Emirates Tourism Council also discussed strategies for promoting the national tourism identity at international exhibitions and conferences. Key events like ITB Berlin and the Arabian Travel Market will see collaboration with local tourism authorities. The meeting also reviewed progress in implementing recommendations from the previous council session.
Formation of a National Team for Enhanced Tourism Data
Council members greenlit the formation of a national team dedicated to enhancing tourism data and statistics within the country. This initiative involves crafting diverse programs and plans, identifying and utilizing tourism data sources, overseeing the implementation of the Tourism Satellite Account project, and fostering collaboration between federal and local entities to establish a unified digital national database specifically for tourism data.