Ministry of Economy organises "Global Travel - Changing Horizons" event to promote international collaboration in advancing tourism innovation and sustainability

Representatives of over 30 countries participate in the event

 The Ministry of Economy organised an event titled “Global Travel – Changing Horizons,” in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, on the sidelines of the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. The event explored the means for fostering global tourism collaboration and promoting innovation and sustainability in the sector, while developing its services and offerings to align with future trends.

The event was attended by H.E. Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; H.E. Haitham Sultan Al Ali, Director General of the Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology; H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM); H.E. Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; and H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, the UAE’s candidate for the position of UN Tourism Secretary General for the period 2026-2029. The event was also attended by tourism sector representatives from over 30 countries participating in ATM 2025.

H.E. Bin Touq said that the UAE has embraced a forward-looking vision for the tourism sector for decades, viewing it as an effective force and tool for connecting people, fostering cultural exchange, and building bridges of collaboration and dialogue with all nations around the world. Tourism also serves as a key economic driver of growth and prosperity. H.E. said: “We are committed to strengthening international efforts to promote sustainability and innovation in tourism, working closely with UN Tourism and the global community to shape a more flexible and sustainable future for global travel.”

The Minister of Economy highlighted that the UAE takes pride in supporting leading international initiatives such as the Measuring Sustainability of Tourism (MST) project and its contributions to establishing global standards for sustainable tourism development, along with empowering youth with hospitality education. Additionally, the country supports the implementation of an integrated applications platform that includes an online voting system for the UN Tourism and the digitization of primary administrative services, thereby strengthening the Organisation’s transparency, adaptability, and future readiness.

H.E. Bin Touq added: “The nomination of Shaikha Al Nowais for the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism is a remarkable milestone for the UAE’s tourism sector and for the region as well. It reflects the international community's confidence in Emirati competencies and the leading role of Emirati women globally. It also underscores our commitment to building bridges of collaboration with various global partners to create a more prosperous future for global tourism.”

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “It has been our honour to once again welcome tourism leaders, policymakers and innovators from around the world to Dubai for Arabian Travel Market.”

H.E. continued, “Our success as a destination continues to be driven by visionary leadership in Dubai and the wider UAE, and the strength of partnerships across the public and private sectors. Building on back-to-back record visitation performance, Dubai has experienced a strong start to 2025, with 3% growth in international overnight visitation in Q1.”

H.E. noted that, over the course of more than three decades, ATM has developed into an unparalleled global platform to engage with tourism professionals from around the world, with over 55,000 attendees expected to have attended this year’s edition, the largest to date. This week, DET has been joined on the Dubai Stand at ATM by more than 125 stakeholders from across the city’s tourism ecosystem, underlining the collaborative spirit that continues to drive the destination to new heights.”

The event featured a panel discussion with Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, who affirmed that her nomination represents a great honour and responsibility, reflecting the UAE's commitment to empowering women and enhancing their presence in international forums. She also highlighted the UAE's efforts in supporting sustainable tourism development on a global scale, emphasising the important role that tourism plays in boosting economic growth, creating job opportunities, and connecting cultures. Furthermore, she underscored the UAE's commitment to empowering national talents, particularly women and youth, by providing advanced training programmes that keep pace with global changes, alongside supporting innovation and employing modern technologies to develop exceptional tourism experiences.

Shaikha Al Nowais presented her vision for advancing global tourism, emphasising that the current phase necessitates extensive international cooperation to redefine the future of sustainable and responsible tourism. She highlighted the importance of enhancing partnerships between governments, the private sector, and local and international communities, as well as expanding successful tourism models to encompass various regions around the world, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Shaikha Al Nowais is the first Emirati woman to be nominated for this prestigious global position, boasting over 15 years of leadership experience in the tourism and hospitality sector. She has held influential positions in companies, and advisory and academic councils, contributing to the development of national competencies and enhancing the sector's appeal for both local and foreign investments. She is also known for her role in empowering women and youth, as well as her commitment to innovation and the adoption of global best practices in destination management.

The event was organized in line with the UAE's commitment to expanding its role within international organisations and supporting global efforts to achieve sustainable tourism development, in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, and bolstering its position as a global hub for tourism and hospitality.