The United Arab Emirates participated in the 2025 G20 Tourism Ministers’ Summit, held in Mbombela, South Africa.
The delegation was led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism.
The meeting addressed several key topics aimed at enhancing the global tourism sector, with a focus on promoting digital innovation, sustainable financing and investment, expanding air connectivity, and building resilience in this essential industry.
During his speech, Abdullah bin Touq emphasized that, under the wise guidance of its leadership, the UAE has established itself as one of the leading travel destinations globally. This achievement has been made possible through the development of advanced infrastructure, the introduction of flexible regulations, and strategic investments that have boosted the competitiveness and appeal of the sector both regionally and internationally.
He also mentioned that the tourism sector is a fundamental pillar in the efforts to diversify the economy and a key element in achieving the goals of the “We are the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to increase its contribution to the GDP and attract more visitors, further establishing the UAE as a top global hub for tourism and travel.
Al Marri stated, “The G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting serves as a strategic platform to support international efforts aimed at enhancing the tourism sector. The UAE is committed to continuing to support the proposed priorities, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital innovation, improving sustainable financing, expanding air connectivity, and strengthening resilience for comprehensive development that benefits all communities.”
He affirmed that the UAE views this global event as an opportunity to exchange insights and build partnerships that cater to the future of tourism worldwide, and is dedicated to fostering collaboration with G20 partners to ensure inclusive digital transformation and keep pace with technological advancements.
Al Marri highlighted the national efforts to promote sustainability and digital innovation within the tourism sector, which includes launching the fifth edition of the “World’s Most Beautiful Winter” campaign for 2024, themed “Green Tourism.” This initiative emphasizes the importance of diverse tourism concepts by encouraging green, agricultural, and sustainable environmental tourism, thereby creating a flourishing market for investments and projects in this sector.
He pointed out that the UAE has placed digital transformation at the core of its “National Tourism Strategy 2031.” He remarked, “Tourism financing and sustainable investment are vital components for ensuring the longevity and growth of the sector through innovative financing programs and strategic partnerships with development banks, as well as connecting air destinations, which is essential for global tourism sustainability. This is complemented by the UAE’s ongoing investment in modern aviation networks, the integration of multimodal transport systems, and updates to infrastructure, along with the adoption of digital travel solutions that facilitate global mobility.”
Specifically, the meeting discussed ways to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions and artificial intelligence to support SMEs and startups in the tourism sector, as well as new mechanisms for funding sustainable tourism investments.
The meeting also reviewed plans to enhance air connectivity through developing flight routes, liberalizing markets, and integrating transport modes, alongside discussing measures to increase sector resilience against health, climate, and economic challenges.
The tourism sector in the UAE has continued to experience strong growth in recent years. During the first half of this year, hotel establishments welcomed over 16 million guests, reflecting a 5.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024, while the number of hotel nights reached 56 million, marking a 7.3% rise, with an average stay duration of 3.5 nights.
Additionally, revenues from hotel establishments soared to over 26 billion dirhams, showing a growth rate of 6.3% compared to the same period last year, while the hotel occupancy rate stood at 80.5% during the first six months of this year.