The UAE took center stage at the G20 tourism ministers’ meeting in Brazil, with H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, representing the nation. The gathering focused on forging strong collaborations among member nations to advance sustainable tourism development and explore the many opportunities within this vital sector.
H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the UAE’s impressive performance in the global tourism and travel industry, highlighting the sector’s crucial role in driving national economic growth, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting digital transformation. This commitment aligns with the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, particularly supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across tourism-related fields.
H.E. Bin Touq asserted that tourism is not just a source of economic progress but also a key factor in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The UAE remains dedicated to global initiatives that champion sustainable tourism development, enhance sector resilience, and encourage the integration of advanced technology into tourism activities. These efforts aim to create an efficient infrastructure that ensures a thriving future for the industry.
H.E. Bin Touq detailed the various initiatives and policies implemented to boost domestic tourism, which have played a significant role in developing a world-class tourism infrastructure adhering to international best practices. The UAE’s focus on diversifying its tourism offerings and providing high-quality services has been instrumental in the country’s economic diversification. These efforts are aligned with the ‘UAE Tourism Strategy 2031,’ which aims to solidify the UAE’s position as a global tourism leader and increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion by 2031.
H.E. Bin Touq expressed his gratitude to Brazil for hosting the G20 Summit and commended the Brazilian presidency for ensuring the event’s success. He also thanked G20 members and international tourism organizations for their efforts in promoting the sustainability of global tourism.
Beyond the broader summit discussions, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the growing tourism ties between the UAE and Brazil. In 2023, over 183,000 Brazilian tourists visited the UAE, marking a substantial 46.4% increase compared to 2022. Currently, 50 flights per month connect the two nations through the UAE’s national carriers.
On the sidelines of the G20 meeting, H.E. Bin Touq engaged in productive meetings with the tourism ministers of Brazil, India, Azerbaijan, and South Africa. During these discussions, he outlined the UAE’s ongoing tourism initiatives and emphasized the importance of cultivating robust partnerships with global stakeholders to drive economic and social advancement.
The meeting with H.E. Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency, focused on Azerbaijan’s tourism sector and the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The two sides explored plans for a tourism ministers’ meeting during COP29, aiming to strengthen tourism connections between the two countries.
Discussions with Brazil centered on joint investment opportunities and enhancing cooperation between tourism enterprises in both countries, with a focus on developing new tourism and leisure initiatives to boost mutual tourism flows.
H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with the Indian Minister of Tourism centered on enhancing tourism ties within the framework of the countries’ economic partnership. They discussed increasing flight connectivity and reviewed progress on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations to bolster tourism cooperation.
Lastly, H.E. Bin Touq and South African Minister of Tourism H.E. Patricia de Lille explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various tourism sectors, sharing expertise and promoting sustainable tourism practices to ensure mutual economic growth.
