Promoting Collaboration Between the UAE and the United Nations World Tourism Organization

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized the UAE’s commitment to enhancing collaboration and establishing diverse partnerships with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). He highlighted the exchange of best practices across various sectors and activities in tourism, aligning with the wise leadership’s directives to reinforce the UAE’s position as a premier global tourist destination and support sustainable tourism development both regionally and internationally.
This statement was made during a bilateral meeting between Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri and Sheikha Nashwa Al Nuaimi, the Secretary-General of UNWTO, on the sidelines of the FITUR Madrid 2026 international tourism fair held in the Spanish capital.
Minister Abdullah bin Touq noted that the meeting represents a significant step forward in strengthening cooperation between the UAE and UNWTO, particularly in areas such as smart and sustainable tourism solutions, the development and promotion of new tourist destinations, and vocational tourism education and training. These efforts aim to enhance the UAE’s central role in international organizations and boost the competitiveness of the local tourism sector while supporting sustainable development objectives, reflecting the commitment of both parties to cultivating a progressive, innovative, and sustainable global tourism industry.
The Minister also shared the UAE’s vision for developing and growing its tourism sector as well as building a more integrated tourism ecosystem with the rest of the world. He discussed new initiatives and policies being adopted at both government and private sector levels to enhance the competitiveness of this vital sector and make it more sustainable, in line with the goals of the National Tourism Strategy 2031.
Influential Center
Sheikha Nashwa Al Nuaimi, the Secretary-General of UNWTO, expressed her pride in the UAE’s prominent global standing as an influential center in tourism and the economy, showcasing a unique and leading experience that illustrates that calculated ambition, strategic partnerships, and effective international cooperation are essential pillars for creating sustainable value that stretches beyond the present into the future. She stated: “Following my discussions with Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri during FITUR, UNWTO looks forward to strengthening collaboration and partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in the UAE. The organization will also work to enhance communication with its partners in both the public and private sectors to exchange best practices and experiences that the UAE has implemented to develop tourism destinations and boost their attractiveness to talent while fostering an environment conducive to tourism innovation, in alignment with its national vision to achieve the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.” She affirmed that the UAE’s support for the organization’s efforts is a strategic move that contributes to implementing practical programs that have a tangible impact on developing tourist destinations and local communities, thereby enhancing sustainable tourism development and reflecting the UAE’s critical role in supporting international cooperation to build a competitive and sustainable tourism sector both regionally and globally.
The meeting also discussed mechanisms for expanding partnership pathways and advancing them towards broader horizons in the fields of tourism and hospitality through the exchange of expertise and best practices, contributing to the provision of unique and sustainable tourism experiences. Additionally, several future projects with UNWTO were outlined, especially concerning vocational education and training, as well as the development of sustainable family-friendly tourism destinations.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a collaboration agreement with UNWTO in June 2024 to develop the digital services offered by the organization during official meetings. The memorandum aims to enhance the digital transformation of the organization, improve the efficiency of its meetings, and offer advanced services such as electronic voting and digital registration for the organization’s events and activities.