UAE Seeks to Double Domestic Tourism Spending

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the launching of the UAE strategy for domestic tourism. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the launching of the UAE strategy for domestic tourism. (WAM)
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UAE Seeks to Double Domestic Tourism Spending

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the launching of the UAE strategy for domestic tourism. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the launching of the UAE strategy for domestic tourism. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates announced a new strategy that aims to develop an integrated tourism system to organize domestic tourism.

The strategy is part of the country’s plans to establish its position as a tourist attraction hub.

“Promoting the UAE as a single tourist destination with diverse attractions and experiences boosts the country’s tourism sector as an integral part of the national economy,” said UAE Vice President, Premier and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the launch of the first 45-day federal domestic tourism campaign.

The “World’s Coolest Winter” aims to invite the public to explore the hidden gems of the seven emirates. The campaign is overseen by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with local tourism entities and supported by the UAE Government Media Office.

It seeks to highlight the major landmarks and attractions that distinguish every emirate and contribute to promoting the UAE as a single destination.

During a special event in al-Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the goals and plans of the new domestic tourism strategy and identity.

“The UAE strategy for domestic tourism marks the beginning of unifying our efforts and coordinating our capabilities towards harnessing all of our tourism resources in the best possible mean,” Sheikh Mohammed stressed.

“Today, we are launching the first of many campaigns to develop this vital sector of our economy.”

“We launched a unified tourism identity to promote the UAE as a single tourist hub that shares the same national economy and provides equal opportunities for the country’s youth,” he explained.

Domestic tourism spending in the UAE stands at Dh41 billion, Sheikh Mohammed noted, stressing that with a solid federal collaboration and contributions of the domestic market, the figure can be doubled and new opportunities can be created for the small business industries across the country.

“Working as one team in the tourism sector will bring long-term benefits to every part of the UAE and boost our status globally as a single destination that offers rich and diverse experiences.”

Each of the seven emirates features rich tourist experiences, massive resources and cultural, archaeological and architectural treasures, he added, pointing out that the UAE aims to unify efforts to maximize returns.

He invited the private sector to take this campaign as an opportunity to bolster partnerships with the government to bring greater value and accelerate the country’s economic recovery.



Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Importance of Balancing Growth, Energy Security

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Photo: Energy Ministry account on X
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Photo: Energy Ministry account on X
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Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Importance of Balancing Growth, Energy Security

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Photo: Energy Ministry account on X
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Photo: Energy Ministry account on X

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz participated in the Energy Transitions Working Group meetings, the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial and the 9th Mission Innovation Ministerial, held this week in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, where he emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth and energy security.
The meetings focused on sustainable energy policies and equitable energy transitions within G20 efforts to enhance international cooperation aimed at achieving environmental sustainability and supporting innovations in clean energy technologies.
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth, energy security, and climate change mitigation. He highlighted the Kingdom's leadership in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, as well as its commitment to leading by example in leveraging circular carbon economy technologies, and affirmed the Kingdom's ambition to become a global leader in the production and export of clean energy.
Prince Abdulaziz also outlined Saudi Arabia's efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity, which is expected to reach approximately 44 gigawatts by the end of 2024, and touched upon the establishment of a hydrogen production hub in Ras Al Khair Industrial City, along with a major carbon capture and storage project, which will have a capacity of 9 million tons annually by 2027.