The tourism arm of the UN has called the Middle East the “most important” market for the sector's performance, amid a call to increase investments in the industry globally.
The industry's growth in the region is being driven by robust investments in people and sustainability, Natalia Bayona, executive director of UN Tourism, said at the Annual Investment Meeting Congress in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Tourism is also helping create frameworks that can help boost economic growth, Ms Bayona said. While the Middle East offers “cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, [it] also presents vibrant opportunities for tourism investments”, Ms Bayona said in a video message at the event.
“Tourism is resilient and it's a dynamic force of the global economy … the Middle East is the most important region in the world when it comes to tourism performance.”
UN Tourism released its new report at Aim Congress, which lays out four key dimensions – governance, economic, sociocultural and environmental – to serve as a comprehensive framework to achieve the goal of sustainable investment in the sector.
The report calls for a range of measures such as co-operation between stakeholders and laws to respect cultural heritage and aims to “support policymakers in steering the sector towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable path”.
In the Middle East, investments by regional governments into tourism have become a major asset, Ms Bayona said, noting that leaders “have assured that tourism is a state policy”.
“And thanks to the investments … we are seeing the strongest results in this region.”
The Middle East welcomed about 95 million guests last year, 32 per cent more compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019 and 1 per cent higher than 2023, UN Tourism said in a January report – the best performer in markets tracked by the agency.
Globally, there were more than 1.4 billion international travellers last year, which is 99 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and an 11 per cent surge from 2024, resulting in receipts hitting $1.6 trillion, which is 4 per cent higher compared to 2019, it added.
“Our ambition goes beyond recovery; we aim for transformation, [which] requires robust investments … but at the end of the day, [we aim] to create economic frameworks that can help to boost economic growth and to bring together this sector,” Ms Bayona said.
Tourism is considered one of the strategic pillars in transitioning towards a new economic model, and nations in the Middle East have continued to enhance their offerings to attract more guests.
On Monday, the UAE's Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq said that hotels in the Emirates recorded a 3 per cent annual rise in revenue to Dh45 billion ($12.3 billion) last year, reflecting a robust uplift in the country's tourism sector.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has also increased its focus on tourism by opening more entertainment venues, hosting sporting events and streamlining visa processes.
These reflect the crucial role governments play in shaping the tourism investment landscape, which includes “setting [a] field of priorities, providing transparent and predictable frameworks, and creating environments that stimulate investor confidence”, said Samer Al Kharashi, director general of UN Tourism's Middle East unit.
“Moreover, policies must continuously adapt to involve market dynamics, emerging trends and shifting travel preferences. Equally important is recognising the vital role of the private sector as the main source of tourism investments,” he added.
Technology is also playing a crucial role in developing the tourism sector, reshaping everything from investments to guest experiences, on the back of artificial intelligence, smart data systems and cloud-based platforms, said Matthew Stephenson, head of investments and services at the World Economic Forum.
“Destinations that invest in digital infrastructure, data capabilities and skills development will attract not only more investors, but also higher value investments,” he said.
“The choices we make now about where to invest in, who we invest with and how we measure success will define the future of the sector … governments play a central role in creating the enabling environment that investors need [with] transparent regulations, efficient procedures, strong governance and incentives.”
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Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
