The document provides an overview of tourism in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), detailing its history, current status, and future projections. It highlights the economic impact of the tourism sector, which significantly contributes to the UAE's GDP and employment, and outlines various tourism initiatives for sustainable development across emirates. The UAE positions itself as a culturally rich destination that balances Islamic values with luxury tourism experiences.

1. TOURISM:
TRANSFORMING THE WORLD INTO A
GLOBAL VILLAGE
-Ishan M.
Delegation of the U.A.E.

2. THE UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Subtitle

3. Contents
 About The U.A.E.
 History of tourism in U.A.E.
 Present condition and its contributing factors
 Tourism initiatives
 Tourism statistics
 Vision of the emiratis regarding tourism

4. About The U.A.E
 The United Arab Emirates is a federal constitutional monarchy made up from a
federation of seven hereditary tribal absolute monarchy-styled political system
called Sheikhdoms. It is governed by a Federal Supreme Council made up of the
ruling Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and
Umm al-Quwain.
 Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language of the UAE. The UAE's
oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world while its natural gas reserves are the
world's seventeenth-largest.[14][15] Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first
President of the UAE, oversaw the development of the Emirates and steered oil
revenues into healthcare, education and infrastructure.[16] The UAE's economy is the
most diversified in the Gulf Cooperation Council, while its most populous city of
Dubai is an important global city and international aviation and maritime trade hub.

5. History of tourism in The U.A.E
 The discovery of oil in 1966 kickstarted the development of
U.A.E i, however Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (ruler
of Dubai from 1958 till 1990) realised one day Dubai would
run out of oil and started building an economy that would
outlast it.[3]
 In 1989 the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board
was established, to promote Dubai as a luxury destination for
the up-tier market and influential business sectors. In
January 1997, it was replaced with the Department of
Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).[4] Just like
 Apart from its natural beauty gained by its beaches, creeks
and deserts and heritage preserved through its forts. U.A.E
invested in real estate technology and technical education of
its citizens working in areas or fields that could be served or
modified as potential tourist attractions
 It made itself a major hub for global trade and travel. It
offers tourists a lot of facilities, otherwise banned by other
Islamic states without betraying its original Islamic essence.
This offers tourists to experience its rich Arabic culture
without putting their liberty on table.
ISA Activity 7 5

6. Tourism in U.A.E.
 Tourism and economy
 In 2016, the direct contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE’s GDP was AED 68.5 billion (USD 18.7
billion) which is equivalent to 5.2 per cent of the total GDP. It is forecast to rise by 5.1 per cent per annum from 2017
to 2027 to AED 116.1 billion (USD 31.6 billion) which would be equivalent to 5.4 per cent of the total GDP in 2027.
 The total contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE’s GDP was AED 159.1 billion (USD 43.3 billion) which
is 12.1 per cent of GDP. It is forecast to rise by 4.9 per cent per annum to AED 264.5 billion (USD 72 billion) which
would be 12.4 per cent of GDP in 2027.
 The travel and tourism sector directly supported 317,500 jobs in the UAE which is 5.4 per cent of total employment.
This is expected to rise by 2.4 per cent per annum to 410,000 jobs which would be 5.9 per cent of total employment
in 2027.
 The total contribution of travel and tourism sector to employment, including jobs indirectly supported by the industry
was 10.4 per cent of total employment which was 617,500 jobs. This is expected to rise by 2 per cent per annum to
770,000 jobs in 2027 which would be 11.1 per cent of total jobs.
 Investment in the travel and tourism sector was AED 26.2 billion (USD 7.1 billion) which amounted to 7 per cent of the
total investments made. It is forecast to rise by 11 per cent per annum over the next 10 years to AED 74.5 billion
(USD 20.3 billion) in 2027 which would be 11.2 per cent of the total investments.
 Source:
 Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2017 – World Travel and Tourism Council

7. Tourism statistics
 In 2016, 4,440,314 guests stayed in hotels in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This is 8 per cent
more than the earlier year.
 In the emirate of Dubai, there were 14.9 million overnight visitors. This is 5 per cent more
than the earlier year.
 The emirate of Sharjah welcomed 1.8 million guests into its accommodation sector. This is
17 per cent more than the earlier year.
 The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is targeting a million visitors by 2018 (Gulf News), by when it
will need an additional 4,000 rooms and 3 million visitors by 2025, by when it will need an
additional 20,000 to 25,000 rooms.
 Source:
 Hotel establishments report – Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (PDF 100 KB)
 Dubai welcomes record 14.9m overnight visitors in 2016 – Emirates247.com
 Sharjah’s tourist industry saw a 17% increase against 2016 as with over 4 million guest
nights in the Emirate – Sharjah Tourism website

8. Tourism initiatives
The UAE has launched several initiatives to boost the travel and tourism sector. Some of the initiatives are listed below.
Sustainable tourism development in Abu Dhabi
Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi works towards the sustainable tourism development of the emirate. This involves:
preparing the annual Sustainability Report
launching and implementing 'green' tourism and hotel initiatives
holding environment-related exhibitions and conferences.
Dubai Tourism Strategy 2020
Read about Dubai Tourism Strategy 2020.
Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021
Read about Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021.
Ajman Strategic Plan for Tourism 2015-2021
The mission of Ajman Strategic Plan for Tourism is the development and sustainability of its tourism sector in order to become the destination of choice for all types of tourists
through effective strategic partnerships and continuous innovation. It will focus on:
improving customer experience and providing value-added services
enhancing sustainability and growth
operational effectiveness
empowered workforce in a creative work environment
rational expenditures and optimal investment of financial resources.

9. Vision of the emiratis regarding tourism
As our state has this rich history of
providing top notch services and the
opportunity for you to look into yourself
inside the chaotic cities and elegant
sand dunes. U.A.E. will continue to
provide high class service and hospitality
with utmost concern of the environment.
Please join in celebrating together in the
enthralling land of U.A.E. land

10. ‫شكرا‬THANK YOU

11. Citations
1. https://government.ae/.../visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/travel-and-tourism
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Dubai