ABU DHABI, October 5, 2017 – Tourism Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have adopted a decision to designate Al Ain City as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025.

This happened during the participation of a state delegation led by the Minister of Economy, His Excellency Abdullah bin Duq Al Marri, in the seventh meeting of the Honorable Ministers responsible for Tourism and their Honorable Undersecretaries in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Today, two days were held by the Al Taqiliyah Governorate in Mana at the Oman Museum.

The government delegation included His Excellency Abdullah Ahmad Al Saleh, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, and Abdullah Al Hammadi, Director of the Ministry’s Audit Department.

His Highness Bin Duq said: “The Council’s selection of Al Ain as the Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025 confirms the UAE’s leading position as a renowned tourist destination and reflects the confidence that the country enjoys as a sustainable tourism destination. Guided by wise leadership and the light of vision, especially since Al Ain has renowned tourism elements.”Its natural, historical and cultural diversity, world-leading hotel facilities and integrated tourism services, its excellence in adventure tourism.”

He invited our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to visit the UAE and Al Ain City to enjoy the beautiful tourism sights and learn about the advancements and improved tourism services achieved by the UAE tourism industry in support of its leadership regionally and globally.

His Excellency added: “Our meeting today is an important platform to promote opportunities for Gulf tourism cooperation and support joint ventures. We are keen to support and contribute to the delivery of the recommendations and outcomes discussed at the meeting. Greater opportunities and potential for tourism in the GCC countries and pushing it to new levels of competitiveness and growth.” and prosperity.

The tourism industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is facing a set of challenges that hinder its growth, prosperity and sustainability, including the development and procedures for the movement of tourists between GCC countries. Smart Infrastructure for Gulf Tourism In addition to the economic changes the world has seen in the last phase, this sector has been affected not only by Gulf tourism but also by international tourism as a whole.

His Excellency said: “Supporting coordination and coordination joint activities among GCC countries during this meeting is essential to enhance the growth prospects of the tourism industry in GCC countries and raise it to a more flexible and sustainable level. Promoting the movement of tourism representatives and electronic connectivity between GCC countries.” And digital tourism data based on best international practices followed in this regard contributes to providing pioneering smart infrastructure for Gulf tourism.

His Excellency Bin Duq added: “The major international events and conferences hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the last phase have helped create a qualitative change in tourism within the Gulf and attracted a significant segment of international visitors to the GCC countries. The best example of this is Qatar’s hosting of the Gulf Cup. Last year, The GCC countries benefited from the event in promoting tourism and increasing hotel occupancy rates. The UAE contributed to the promotion of civil aviation by arranging flights for international visitors from the GCC countries to Qatar during this global event.

In this context, he pointed out that the UAE’s hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, next month will have a positive impact on promoting the development of GCC intra-GCC tourism.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Duq stressed that the UAE is keen to support ongoing Gulf initiatives to promote coordination among Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the field of tourism and contribute to the implementation of joint tourism initiatives, strategies and projects. It contributes to the development of Gulf cooperation in various economic, tourism, social and humanitarian sectors.

He added: The UAE has made great strides in developing its tourism policy and infrastructure in line with international best practices and launching initiatives and strategies for the development of the tourism sector, the most important of which is the “National Tourism Strategy”, making investments in several tourism sectors and developing tourism projects in the various emirates of the country. . In line with the “We Emirates 2031” visionary economic goals.

His Excellency continued: “The development and growth of the tourism sector is a national priority of the UAE, so we will work to speed up the completion of joint tourism projects and achieve the desired goals, and enhance joint work with our brothers from the GCC countries. Gulf Tourism Strategy, and participate in all policies and partnerships that support the development of the tourism sector.” Council countries, and make it flexible and sustainable.”

According to reports published by the World Travel and Tourism Council and the Gulf Statistics Center, he reviewed several indicators that show the importance of the tourism sector’s vital and important role in promoting sustainable economic growth for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Most important of these, the contribution of the tourism industry in the GCC countries is about 171.4 billion dollars per year. The GCC countries provide more than 3.4 million jobs, occupying more than 12% of the Gulf labor market.

The GCC countries together are considered one of the most important tourism markets for the UAE, as the number of guests in hotel establishments from the GCC countries reached 2.7 million guests, which is equivalent to 11% of the total guests of hotel establishments in the country. GCC tourism also plays an important role in supporting the global tourism industry, with a target of 6.6 million tourists by 2021, accounting for around 47% of total international tourist arrivals.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Duq thanked Oman Sister for organizing this useful meeting and congratulated him on his leadership of the meeting. In order to contribute to joint Gulf cooperation efforts during the chairmanship of this meeting, “achieving new achievements to add to the achievements of member states”.

The meeting came within the framework of the Sultanate of Oman’s Presidency of the current session of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and during which various tourism files were discussed, including the latest developments in the Gulf Strategy for Tourism, the vision for developing joint work. To explore opportunities for cooperation between the tourism and cultural sectors in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and in the entertainment sector, to support international cooperation in the tourism sector, and to encourage participation in initiatives and programs that support the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector. Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The meeting was accompanied by several events, visits and tourism experiences for the delegates to learn about the Sultanate of Oman’s unique tourism advantages, cultural, natural and civilizational richness, ancient history and tourist attractions. Investment is made through development projects and ongoing implementation of various tourism projects.