Source : WAM
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, affirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and building diverse partnerships with the United Nations Tourism Organization, as well as exchanging best practices and expertise across various tourism sectors and activities.
This approach aligns with the directives of the UAE’s leadership to reinforce the country’s position as a leading global tourism destination and to advance sustainable tourism development at both regional and international levels.
These remarks were made during a bilateral meeting between Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri and Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, held on the sidelines of the minister’s participation in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR Madrid 2026) in the Spanish capital.
He noted that the meeting marked an important step toward deepening cooperation between the UAE and UN Tourism, particularly in areas such as smart and sustainable tourism solutions, the development and promotion of new tourism destinations, and tourism education and vocational training.
Such efforts, he said, contribute to strengthening the UAE’s role within international organisations, enhancing the competitiveness of the national tourism sector, and supporting sustainable development goals, reflecting a shared commitment to building an innovative and sustainable global tourism industry.
Abdullah bin Touq also outlined the UAE’s vision for further developing its tourism sector and creating a more integrated global tourism ecosystem. He highlighted new initiatives and policies introduced across both government and private sectors to boost the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability, in line with the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.
For her part, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais said that, as an Emirati national, she takes pride in the UAE’s advanced global standing as a key international hub for tourism and the economy. She noted that the country has presented a pioneering model demonstrating how strategic ambition, partnerships, and effective international cooperation serve as essential foundations for creating long-term sustainable value.
She added that following her discussions with Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri during FITUR, UN Tourism looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism. She said the organisation will also work to deepen engagement with public and private sector partners to exchange best practices and expertise drawn from the UAE’s experience in developing tourism destinations, attracting talent, and fostering an environment conducive to tourism innovation, in line with the UAE’s national vision and Tourism Strategy 2031.
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais stressed that the UAE’s support for UN Tourism’s initiatives represents a strategic step that will help implement practical programmes with tangible benefits for tourism destinations and local communities, reinforcing sustainable tourism development and highlighting the UAE’s pivotal role in advancing international cooperation to build a competitive and sustainable tourism sector regionally and globally.
The meeting also discussed ways to expand partnership opportunities in tourism and hospitality through the exchange of expertise and best practices, contributing to the delivery of distinctive and sustainable tourism experiences. In addition, discussions covered several future projects with UN Tourism, particularly in education and vocational training, sustainable destination development, and family-oriented tourism destinations.
In June 2024, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a cooperation agreement with UN Tourism to develop the organisation’s digital services. The agreement aims to support digital transformation within the organisation, enhance the efficiency of meetings and events, and introduce advanced services such as electronic voting and digital registration.
