UAE Participates in G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, Reinforces Commitment to Sustainable Tourism Development
The UAE, represented by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, took part in the G20 tourism ministers' meeting held in Brazil. The meeting aimed to enhance global cooperation to support sustainable tourism development and explore new opportunities for the sector.
In his address, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the UAE's transformation into a global tourism hub, crediting its strategic location, robust aviation infrastructure, and visionary leadership. He noted that the UAE's tourism sector saw significant growth, with a 26% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 14%. The sector contributed AED 220 billion to the national GDP, accounting for 11.7% of the economy, while the UAE's airports welcomed 72 million passengers in the first half of 2024.
H.E. Bin Touq stressed the importance of the tourism industry as a driver of economic growth and a key player in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He affirmed the UAE's commitment to collaborating with global partners to foster sustainable tourism initiatives and integrate advanced technology into the sector.
He also praised Brazil's efforts in hosting the G20 summit and acknowledged the growing tourism exchange between the UAE and Brazil, which saw a 46.4% rise in Brazilian visitors to the UAE in 2023. Discussions with Brazilian officials focused on strengthening bilateral tourism initiatives and joint investments.
In addition to Brazil, H.E. Bin Touq met with tourism ministers from India, South Africa, and Azerbaijan to discuss enhancing tourism cooperation, sharing expertise, and developing new initiatives to support the sector's sustainability and growth.
