The Hospitality Advisory Committee met to discuss initiatives boosting UAE’s hospitality sector, aligning with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 goals, and enhancing youth employment opportunities.
ABU DHABI – The Hospitality Advisory Committee, an affiliate with the Emirates Tourism Council, held a meeting recently, chaired by H.E Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Council. With the participation of 16 representatives and executives from various national and global hospitality establishments, the Committee meeting discussed several initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the hospitality sector across the seven emirates and their role in supporting the goals outlined in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. The meeting underscored the significance of creating employment opportunities for youth in this vital sector.
H.E. Bin Touq confirmed that the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, places great importance on the constant development of the hospitality sector in line with international best practices. The sector is widely recognised as one of the most thriving and dynamic sectors in the UAE, offering a wide range of top-notch services that cater to the needs of tourists and visitors across all seven emirates.
H.E. said, “The hospitality sector has been witnessing significant growth since the beginning of this year, driven by the influx of tourists and a rising number of travellers within the country. In the UAE, the hotel occupancy rates hit 80 per cent, with a total of 15.3 million guests across the seven emirates in the first half of 2024. This represents a 10.5 per cent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2023, underscoring the sector’s crucial role in boosting the national economy and enhancing its competitiveness.”
H.E. added, “The latest Committee meeting discussed a range of topics aimed at bolstering the UAE’s efforts to improve the leadership and flexibility of our hospitality sector. These included maximising the benefits offered by the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, capitalizing on the declaration of Al Ain as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for the year 2025 and underscoring the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 goals. The strategy aims to position UAE as the premier global tourism destination by the next decade.”
The meeting discussed several new initiatives that are planned to be implemented in the upcoming phase. These initiatives are designed to enhance summer job opportunities for the youth in diverse hospitality and hotel-related activities. Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the significance of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in promoting the expansion of the hospitality sector and boosting national tourism revenues. It also aims to draw a larger number of international companies to the UAE’s markets.
The Hospitality Advisory Committee, established by the Emirates Tourism Council, offers guidance and recommendations to the Head of the UAE Tourism Council on the hospitality sector’s development. In addition to providing information and insights into the latest developments in the UAE’s hospitality sector, the Committee proposes fresh initiatives and ideas from the private sector aimed at propelling the sector’s growth. Additionally, it offers feedback and perspectives on government tourism policies and initiatives.
H.E. Bin Touq, Canadian counterpart explore means to strengthen cooperation in new and circular economy, tourism and aviation
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri also held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Matt Jones, Canadian Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Trade, to explore the strengthening of cooperation in key areas such as the new economy, entrepreneurship, tourism, aviation, investment, the circular economy, infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, logistics, food security, and clean energy. The discussions focused on fostering growth and sustainability in both nations’ economies for the future.
H.E. Bin Touq hailed the strong and ever-growing ties between the UAE and Canada, especially in economic and trade sectors. “We are committed to enhancing economic cooperation to scale new heights of growth and prosperity by capitalizing on the promising opportunities and potential within both markets,” he noted.
In this context, H.E. stated: “Canada is a strategic and valuable economic partner for the UAE in North America, and the UAE serves as a vital logistics hub for Canadian exports to the Middle East and North Africa region. This meeting is a testament to our shared commitment to deepening existing trade and economic partnership, exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and exchanging expertise and best practices in policies that support the growth and sustainability of both economies, while fostering stronger connections between the two business communities.”
The meeting discussed ways to enhance joint efforts in facilitating import and export procedures and providing more incentives to businesses and the private sector in both the UAE and Canadian markets. Furthermore, it explored a range of economic diversification initiatives and their role in driving the transition towards innovative and sustainable economic models. The two ministers underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation in the tourism and aviation sectors, given the growing number of flights between the two countries, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.
During the meeting, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the enablers and opportunities within the UAE’s business landscape, which has evolved significantly in recent years. He pointed out the pivotal role of the new laws and regulations, such as the family business law, cooperative law, commercial agencies law, trading by modern technology means and arbitration regulations, the introduction of 100 per cent foreign ownership across sectors, as well as intellectual property rights protection.
H.E. Bin Touq, at the end of the meeting, extended an invitation to the Canadian minister to attend the fourth edition of Investopia, set to take place in February 2025. The event will serve as an ideal platform to explore the UAE’s abundant investment prospects for international investors and expand partnerships across multiple economic sectors.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.