Hospitality Advisory Committee reviews initiatives outlined in UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and their role in boosting the national hospitality sector’s competitiveness

H.E. Bin Touq: The focus is on enhancing the partnership between the public and private sectors to advance the hospitality sector in the country

The Hospitality Advisory Committee, an affiliate with the Emirates Tourism Council, held its inaugural meeting, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Head of Council. With the participation of 10 representatives from various national and global hospitality establishments operating in the country, the Committee meeting reviewed several initiatives under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and their role in boosting the competitiveness of the UAE’s hospitality sector.

H.E. Bin Touq confirmed that the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, has succeeded in offering a unique and diverse tourism experience to visitors from around the world. The country has achieved exceptional results and surpassed many prominent regional and global tourism markets in various tourism performance indicators. H.E. noted that the UAE today boasts an advanced, agile, and diverse tourism sector, renowned for its resilience and ability to swiftly adapt to global shifts.

The Minister of Economy explained that the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, at the end of 2022, marked a significant step forward in the development of the national tourism sector following international best practices. The strategy aims to boost concerted national efforts, foster communication among key tourism entities, and establish the UAE as a premier global tourism destination. H.E. added that a specific set of initiatives has also been launched in light of the strategy, including the National Tourism Charter and the Tourism Hackathon.

H.E. Bin Touq added: “The hospitality sector is one of the key pillars of the UAE’s tourism sector, known for its exceptional diversity within the region. Renowned for its superior services, upscale hotel establishments and distinctive resorts, the sector is well-equipped to cater to the diverse needs of tourists and visitors of all age groups. Not only does this vital sector boost the country's appeal for tourism investments, but also plays a pivotal role in driving tourism growth, entertainment offerings, and MICE tourism and creating job opportunities. The Hospitality Advisory Committee was formed with an aim to strengthen the collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance the UAE's hospitality sector in line with global best practices.”

“The Committee meeting is a significant milestone in bolstering our efforts to achieve the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to enhance the UAE's reputation as a leading global tourism destination. The strategy also seeks to increase the sector's contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion, attract AED 100 billion of fresh investments to the local tourism industry, and draw in 40 million guests to our hotel facilities by 2031. This meeting plays a vital role in advancing the efforts to drive the growth of activities and sectors linked to the UAE tourism industry,” H.E. added.

In addition, during the meeting, H.E. reviewed various indicators and outcomes that affirm the UAE tourism sector's leadership. These include a surge in hotel revenues that amounted to AED 43.5 billion in 2023, showcasing a remarkable growth of 15 per cent compared to that of 2022. Furthermore, the number of hotel guests across the seven emirates reached 28 million in 2023, reflecting an 11 per cent growth, with a total of 97.3 million hotel nights. Hotel occupancy rate reached 75 per cent in 2023, compared to the previous year's rate of 71.2 per cent, achieving one of the highest rates achieved by leading global tourism destinations.

H.E. highlighted that the tourism industry in the country continued to showcase a remarkable performance at the start of this year. During the months of January and February 2024, the hotel occupancy rate surpassed 82.6 per cent, leading to total hotel revenues of approximately AED 9.1 billion. This represents a significant 12 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year. Additionally, the country's hotels welcomed 5.4 million guests during January and February 2024, up10 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

The Committee deliberated on a range of mechanisms that would facilitate collaboration with related tourism entities, with the objective of exploring more enablers to bolster the leadership position of the UAE’s hospitality industry. Additionally, the meeting emphasized the significance of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign in stimulating the growth of this pivotal sector and augmenting domestic tourism revenues, while also attracting more international companies to the local market. Besides, the meeting underscored the importance of education and training in the tourism and hospitality field and explored opportunities for UAE nationals in this particular sector. Private sector representatives affirmed that Emiratis best represent the country’s culture and hospitality.

Furthermore, the meeting focused on the significance of incorporating different areas of tourism specialization into the educational curriculum at all levels in the country. This is to ensure that students, graduates, and nationals are adequately prepared, trained, and equipped with the essential skills and expertise required to take up careers in the hospitality industry. It will also help meet the dynamic demands of the market, considering that the tourism sector has played vital role in generating over 750,000 job opportunities in 2022, accounting for 12 per cent of the overall labor market in the country.

The Hospitality Advisory Committee, established by the Emirates Tourism Council, provides consultation and recommendations regarding the development of the hospitality sector to the Emirates Tourism Council. It also provides tourism data regarding developments in the UAE's hospitality industry. Additionally, new initiatives and ideas from the private sector are proposed by the Committee to contribute to the growth of the hospitality sector and solidify the country's position as a leading tourism destination. Furthermore, it provides feedback and insights on government tourism policies and initiatives.

The Committee comprises ten presidents and CEOs of national and international hotels, including Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim is CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, Haitham Matar, Managing Director of IHG Hotels and Resorts Group in the Middle East, Africa, and South West Asia, Benoy Kurien, Group CEO at Al Hamra Group, Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International in the Middle East, Hamad Al Mulla, Chairman of HYM Investment, Ahmed Kamal, General Manager at Ajman Saray Hotel, Ian Phillips, CEO of Sharjah National Hotels, Waseem Al Shalabi, General Manager at Al Bahar Hotel and Resort, and Shaikha Al Nowais, Vice President of Owner Relationship Management (ORM) at Rotana.