Balance between collaboration and competition among GCC destinations promotes tourism growth
During his participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 (ATM), Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, revealed that the UAE expects the tourism sector to contribute 12 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) this year, equating to AED236 billion.
“According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), our tourism sector has been a dynamic force within our economy, contributing an impressive 11.7 percent to GDP (in 2023), amounting to AED220 billion,” Al Marri said.
Gulf-wide collaboration in focus
A panel discussion featuring prominent tourism figures in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region delved into the importance of inter-regional initiatives in advancing the GCC tourism industry. The discussion at ATM 2024 also explored the balance between collaboration and competition among GCC destinations and the role of initiatives like the GCC unified tourist visa in…