Sharjah – WAM

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed the opening of the tenth session on Wednesday. Sharjah International Tourism and Tourism Forum, Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Expo Center under the theme “Sustainable Tourism: Quality Pathways Shaping Future Frontiers”.

Upon his arrival, he was received by Sheikh Salem Bin Mohammed Bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority, Sheikh Faisal Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority, and Minister Abdullah Bin Duq Al Mari. Economic and many leaders, general directors and directors of departments are local residents and forum guests in Sharjah.

Abdullah bin Duq Al Marri delivered a speech in which he emphasized the country’s efforts to invest in tourism and sustainable tourism, pointing out that the UAE has made great strides in developing its tourism policy and infrastructure in line with international best practices.

The tenth principle of the economic policy document announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect the Ruler of Dubai in the current month. The policy aims to promote the world’s best logistics infrastructure, including ports, airports and airlines, with efforts to improve sustainability in the tourism, travel and aviation sectors.

The Economy Minister pointed out that the sustainability of tourism is one of the most important factors to promote the growth of this important sector in the coming period, especially in light of the environmental and social conditions the world is witnessing.

He said, “In this context, the UAE is keen to develop national strategies and initiatives to improve the sustainability of the tourism and travel sectors and support the transition towards a low-carbon, green and sustainable aviation industry. Aviation fuel, perhaps the National Tourism Strategy 2031, has adopted a set of national goals. .Attracting 40 million hotel guests, the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy’s GDP will increase to 450 billion dirhams within the next decade.

Abdullah bin Duq Al Marri reviewed the most important indicators and results achieved by the UAE in the tourism sector, the tourism and travel sector contributed more than 60% of the GDP last year, reaching about 167 billion dirhams. And the department saved more than 89 thousand people. A new job and the total revenue of hotel companies in the country in 2023 is 26 billion dirhams, a growth of 24% compared to the same period last year. million guests in the first seven months of 2023, with a growth rate of 15%, allowing the UAE to maintain its position among the top 12 tourist destinations in the world, with more than 10 million tourists choosing it annually.

In his speech, Chairman of Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority, Khaled Jassim Al Mitfa, addressed the forum’s vision for the current session, which focuses on sustainable tourism as one of the most important and influential sectors in the global economy. And the sustainability sector is expected to contribute more than 11 percent of the global economy, with a value exceeding $15 trillion by 2033, indicating that it is the fastest growing sector of all sectors.

Al Mitfa pointed to the growing concept of sustainable tourism, noting that it was included in the annual report of one of the largest companies, which indicated that travelers prefer options that prioritize the protection of the planet and brands that offer sustainable options. As reflected in a global research report by Allied Market Research, it confirms that the value of the global sustainable tourism market reached approximately $3.3 trillion last year, and is expected to reach approximately $11.4 trillion by 2032.

The Chairman of the Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority concluded his speech by saying, “The UAE has placed great emphasis on sustainability and has declared 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. Practices, in addition to the country’s efforts in promoting international joint action to address…sustainability challenges and their role in seeking innovative solutions that benefit all. Developing sustainability practices in the tourism and travel sector is essential to enhance its role in development, and should be a model of creativity in achieving harmony between people’s current needs and “the right of future generations to a brighter future”.

For his part, Dr. Nawal Al Hosani, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Under-Secretary of the Green Development and Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, delivered the keynote presentation. He emphasized that the forum, which includes a journey on sustainability and climate change, is a pioneer in the field of sustainability and environmental protection, and has started its journey in the field since the 1960s. The pillars of sustainable development are economic, environmental and social, and seeks to develop and improve them in a balanced and integrated manner.

He discussed the UAE’s recent efforts in terms of climate change and said: “By hosting the twenty-eighth session of the COP28 Conference of the Parties this year, the UAE is confirming its leadership role in climate action and sustainable development. Globally, the UAE will be a catalyst in this regard.” Exemplary.” It was one of the first countries to ratify the Paris Climate Agreement and launched several national initiatives in preparation for hosting COP28. One of these efforts. It is advancing its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 40% in a long-term low-carbon development strategy.

The Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency, while reviewing several initiatives related to climate, environment and sustainability, affirmed the leadership of the UAE in the field of waste management, pointing to the clear efforts of the Emirate of Sharjah in the process of waste treatment with renowned global initiatives and the UAE’s waste management sector is more He said that agriculture contributes to achieving food security and has succeeded in establishing several investments in the sector to achieve and strengthen 100% food security. Agriculture in cities too.

The opening ceremony of the Forum started with the National Anthem, after which the participants watched a visual presentation, which represented the great potential of Sharjah’s characteristics in terms of sustainable tourism and tourism, where the vision of achieving tradition with modernity, the present with a bright future, and the commitment to protect the environment and natural resources are integrated.

At the end of the forum’s opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi presented the forum’s shield to Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Duq Al Marri. He honored sponsors, partners and speakers at the forum.

The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah reviewed the exhibition held on the sidelines of the Forum’s activities, toured the corridors of the exhibition, which saw wide participation from government bodies and institutions in Sharjah. Key services and initiatives offered by the participants serve the sustainable tourism sector and reflect the richness of its heritage, identity and history to strengthen the Emirate’s economy and enhance its status as a global destination.

In its tenth session, the forum discusses the essence of sustainable tourism by presenting topics including sustainability, best environmental practices and strategies to reduce environmental impacts, and demonstrate the economic and social returns of these practices to local communities. It shares the latest trends and innovations in sustainable tourism and the role of technology in developing it, opportunities for collaboration to achieve sustainability goals and success stories of companies specializing in reducing energy and water consumption and waste in tourism activities.