The UAE is participating in the “African Tourism Investment Summit” in South Africa, which is considered an important platform for enhancing tourism on the continent. The summit featured the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, who reviewed ways to enhance cooperation between Arab and African countries in the tourism sector and to develop joint strategies that meet future needs.
Distinguished Discussion Session
Yesterday, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri participated in a dialogue session titled “Dialogue of Investor Leaders from the G20 and the World Travel and Tourism Council – WTTC,” as part of the first edition of the “African Tourism Investment Summit SATIS -2025.” The session was marked by the attendance of a group of Arab and African tourism ministers, in addition to government officials and leaders of the global tourism sector, which contributed to creating an effective dialogue environment.
The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors in tourism, highlighting digital innovation, sustainability, and facilitating investments, which would benefit tourists in various African destinations.
UAE’s Progress in the Tourism Sector
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq noted that the UAE, thanks to the directives of its leadership, is a model in developing its tourism policies. He emphasized the importance of initiatives that promote the growth of this sector and support it in facing regional and international challenges. He also reviewed the efforts made to inject investments into tourism projects across the country, including the development of infrastructure and modern facilities.
He pointed to the role of the UAE as a key development partner in Africa, reaffirming the country’s commitment to enhancing cultural and economic cooperation and opening new horizons for tourism investment.
Diverse Investment Opportunities
He spoke about the enormous investment opportunities within the tourism sector, highlighting the importance of tourism as a vital sector that contributes to economic growth. He called for international collaboration, stating: “Investment in the tourism sector is not only measured by its contribution to GDP but also by what it adds to communities in terms of new jobs.” He stressed the need to focus on the sustainability of tourism projects.
There were strong indications regarding the available opportunities in the UAE market, including digital transformation and innovation, which can position the UAE as a prominent destination for tourism investments and international conference events.
Performance of the Tourism Sector in the UAE
In the context of discussing the notable growth achieved by the tourism sector in the UAE, His Excellency emphasized that tourism’s contribution to the GDP has reached 257.3 billion dirhams (70.1 billion dollars), accounting for approximately 13% of the national economy. This performance is considered one of the highest rates globally in driving economic growth.
He added that the ministry has signed several memorandums of understanding to enhance international cooperation in the tourism sector, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to making the country’s tourism future brighter and more innovative.