Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai announced a national tourism strategy with a vision to attract 40 million hotel guests by 2031. The strategy, launched in the presence of Cabinet ministers and senior government officials, is also designed to attract Dh100 billion in tourism investment and 40 million hotel guests to the UAE.
Speaking at the announcement, HH Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 will come under the ‘Projects of the 50’ and aims to strengthen the position of the UAE as one of the best destinations in the world for tourism.
The National Tourism Strategy, in partnership with various federal and local tourism authorities, national airlines, and international institutions and companies, aims to enhance the unified tourism identity and support the UAE integrated and well-established tourism ecosystem, in order to provide a distinguished experience for tourists from all over the world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “We approved UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2031. Today, UAE ranks among the top 10 global tourist destinations. Our goal is to boost our competitiveness by attracting AED100 billion as additional tourism investments and welcome 40 million hotel guests in 2031”.
His Highness added: “Tourism is key to diversifying our economy and boosting UAE’s global competitiveness. In the first quarter of 2022, our airports received 22 million passengers. Our goal is for the tourism sector’s contribution to be AED450 billion of GDP in 2031.”
The strategy includes 25 initiatives and policies to support the development of the tourism sector in the country.
It is based on 4 key directions: strengthening the unified national tourism identity; developing and diversifying specialized tourism products; building tourism capabilities; encouraging the contribution of national cadres in the tourism sector; and increasing investments in all tourism sectors.
With an annual increase of AED27 billion, it aims to attract new investments of AED100 billion to the tourism sector in the country, and attract 40 million hotel guests.
The strategy’s initiatives and directions will enhance the country’s efforts in providing an attractive and safe national tourism environment, pioneering and integrated tourism services, diverse and unique destinations, and a developed infrastructure for the tourism sector.
The strategy is expected to contribute to encouraging tourism investment in various related sectors, including travel, aviation and hospitality, as well as creating new investment opportunities, attracting more international companies to the local market, and developing tourism data and statistics.
