The Hospitality Advisory Council convened for its fourth meeting of 2025, led by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. The meeting, attended by representatives from both public and private sectors, brought together managers and leaders from major hotel establishments operating in the country. The discussions focused on strategies for enhancing the hospitality sector, increasing its competitiveness, attracting national talent and quality investments, and fostering collaboration between government and private sectors to support the sustainability and operational efficiency of this vital industry.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri stated that, thanks to the guidance of the UAE’s leadership, the country has made significant strides in developing the hospitality sector as a key pillar in advancing tourism and diversifying the national economy while supporting sustainable development. He highlighted the sector’s continued robust performance, which showcases the UAE’s appeal as a preferred destination for visitors, backed by advanced infrastructure and world-class hospitality services.
Al Marri emphasized, “Our focus within the Hospitality Advisory Council is on fostering partnerships and integrating efforts between the public and private sectors. This will contribute to creating a flexible and attractive business environment that supports the growth of the sector’s metrics while continuing to launch initiatives that enhance the sustainability of the hospitality ecosystem, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading destination for hospitality on both regional and global levels.”
He noted that the selection of Masfout Village as the Best Tourism Village in the World for 2025 by the United Nations Tourism Organization marks a significant national achievement. This should be leveraged as a model to replicate successful experiences in other villages and areas of the UAE, focusing on sustainable rural tourism, preserving cultural and natural heritage, empowering local communities, and promoting sustainability in tourism development nationwide.
In detail, the meeting explored mechanisms to support and sustain this national achievement, enhancing the UAE’s global standing in developing sustainable tourism destinations. The discussion included marketing the unique attributes of Masfout that led to this recognition and strengthening collaboration between government and private sectors in this regard.
Localization Efforts
The council also addressed localization efforts within the hospitality sector. Members reviewed programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of national talents in various areas of the sector as a national priority. They emphasized the importance of encouraging Emirati youth to engage in diverse roles within hospitality establishments, particularly in operations management and digital transformation.
The meeting further covered initiatives to develop a comprehensive and accurate database for jobs and national competencies in collaboration with governmental and private sector partners. Additionally, practical training programs are to be implemented to offer citizens direct experience in hospitality work environments, facilitating the preparation of a qualified generation of national talents capable of leading the sector’s future.