Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, recently announced that the local tourism sector is expected to contribute 12% of the UAE's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year.
Speaking at the 2024 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Al Marri stated that according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the UAE's tourism revenue reached 220 billion dirhams in 2023, accounting for 11.7% of the GDP. In 2024, the industry's revenue is projected to continue climbing, reaching 236 billion dirhams, representing a 7% year-on-year increase and contributing 12% to the UAE's GDP.
He further stated, "Our goal is not to return to pre-pandemic levels, but to create a better future."
The 31st edition of ATM, held from May 6th to 9th at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), primarily focused on discussions regarding cooperation in the Gulf region, ease of regional travel, and infrastructure development.
GCC Unified Tourist Visa
Al Marri also announced at the event that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Grand Tours, a unified tourist visa, will be launched in the near future, allowing tourists to visit six countries in one go.
This visa will permit tourists to visit six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait) and stay for 30 days or more.
Since October last year, the visa plan has been in the preparation stage and has received unanimous approval from GCC countries. Its aim is to promote economic growth in the region by streamlining tourist visa procedures.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), further stated that the new visa system should be launched by the end of this year, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation in each country.
He noted that this would be a positive step that would make a significant contribution to the GDP of the Middle East region over the next eight to ten years.
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