Yesterday, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism, participated in a discussion session titled “Investors’ Dialogue from the G20 and the World Travel and Tourism Council – WTTC.” This session was part of the inaugural “African Tourism Investment Summit SATIS – 2025,” held in South Africa.
A group of Arab and African tourism ministers, government officials, and leaders from the global tourism sector attended the event, alongside senior representatives from leading international travel companies.
The session focused on enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors in various tourism-related areas and aligned priorities for developing tourism at both African and global levels. Key themes included digital innovation, sustainability, local and international investment stimulation, and sharing insights on how to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors across different tourist regions of the continent.
Minister Abdullah bin Touq emphasized that the United Arab Emirates has established a unique model for developing its tourism policies and infrastructure, guided by the vision of its leadership. The UAE has adopted national initiatives and strategies aimed at fostering the growth of the tourism sector and enhancing its competitiveness at both the regional and global levels. Investments have been made across various tourism domains, with the creation of distinguished tourism projects throughout the Emirates, the introduction of new airports, and the expansion of flight networks in collaboration with strategic partners worldwide, ultimately solidifying the UAE’s status as a leading tourist destination on the global tourism map.
During the session, he highlighted that the UAE continues to strengthen its presence in Africa as a key development partner by supporting sustainable tourism projects and forming strategic partnerships that create job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and foster cultural, economic, and tourism cooperation between continents, reflecting the country’s commitment to its regional and international development responsibilities.
He noted that the tourism sector in Africa plays a crucial role in the continent’s economic growth, with abundant and diverse tourism assets such as coastal resorts, stunning beaches, cultural, historical, and heritage sites. These resources present numerous opportunities for investors and business leaders from both the government and private sectors to explore African markets and invest in various tourism activities.
The Minister added that the value of investment in the tourism industry goes beyond its contribution to the gross domestic product; it is also measured by its ability to create new jobs, develop national competencies, and promote sustainable practices. He underscored the importance of international collaboration, particularly within the G20 framework, to ensure a more inclusive and resilient growth of global tourism that aligns with the evolving economic and geopolitical dynamics at both regional and international levels.
He outlined the promising investment opportunities in the UAE’s tourism sector, including projects aimed at expanding hotel infrastructure and resort facilities, investing in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, especially in protected natural areas, as well as initiatives related to family entertainment, theme parks, and cultural centers.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the UAE market offers strong investment potential in digital transformation in tourism through smart platforms and virtual experiences, in addition to reinforcing its position as a leading destination for events, conferences, and international exhibitions (MICE). He noted that the tourism investments attracted by the country reached AED 28.8 billion in 2023, increasing to AED 32.2 billion in 2024, with projections estimating they will climb to AED 35.2 billion by 2025, reflecting the country’s vision for an integrated and sustainable tourism approach.
He called for capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the UAE’s tourist destinations and resorts, which are characterized by a flexible investment environment and streamlined procedures that facilitate business establishment and the launch of various economic activities with ease, enhancing the UAE’s attractiveness as a global investment and tourism hub.
Additionally, he discussed the exceptional performance of the tourism and travel sector in the UAE in 2024, where its contribution to the national GDP rose to AED 257.3 billion (approximately USD 70.1 billion), accounting for 13% of the national economy. This represents a 3.2% increase compared to 2023 and a 26% rise compared to 2019, before the pandemic, marking one of the highest contributions of tourism to economic growth both regionally and globally. He also addressed the UAE’s efforts to strengthen international relationships within the tourism sector.
Finally, he mentioned that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism has signed 38 memorandums of understanding and three executive action programs to enhance international cooperation in the tourism sector with various prominent regional and global tourism markets, focusing on boosting tourism exchange, attracting tourism investments, and sharing expertise across diverse areas such as training, vocational education, and tourism marketing.