The 42nd Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Company (UNWTO) Payment for the Middle East was held yesterday (Monday, April 24, 2017) on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market. Hosted by the UAE, the meeting was attended by H.E. Mohammed Khamis Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economic climate and Expert to the Minister for Tourism Matters; H.E. Avedis Guidanian, Lebanese Minister of Tourism and the current Chair of the Middle East Board; H.E. Dr. Taleb Rifai, Assistant General of UNWTO; and various other notable Ministers and officials from entities responsible for establishing the region's tourism sector.

The meeting talked about the agenda of the Middle East Committee, followed up the activities of the WTO within the region, and discussed methods to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourist field. Preparations for the 22nd session of the General Setting up which will be held in the Chinese city of Chengdu in September of this year were also reviewed.

Throughout his speech, H.E. Al Mheiri stressed the importance of the meeting, which he discussed has turned into one of the most crucial worldwide systems for reviewing and following up one of the most important advancements and challenges in global tourism.

H.E. Al Mheiri included that the tourist field make up 10 per cent of the world's GDP, showing the expanding significance of the sector in advertising global financial development. He kept in mind that the industry is also behind around a 3rd of the world's solution exports and is among the 11 fields that supplies significant job opportunities

He additionally said that at the national level, tourism is a priority among the regulations of the sensible leadership to develop the UAE's financial job system in different sectors. He added that the economic determinants of the National Agenda for UAE Vision 2021 have actually verified the vital duty of the tourism sector.

The Undersecretary shared that the UAE has actually been creating framework for supporting the tourism market, with its airport terminals, strong aviation sector, world-class tourist facilities and solutions, high-quality transport and interactions abilities making visitors' experiences in the UAE satisfying and rich.

As part of its vision to develop a diversified, globally affordable and knowledge-based economy led by competent Nationals, H.E. Al Mheiri said that the UAE Ministry of Economy has managed the procedure of reinforcing the country's position as a leading sustainable tourism location in cooperation with all concerned federal and local authorities and in close contact with the economic sector.

He added that the Ministry is currently working with the country's numerous tourist stakeholders to establish a nationwide method for coordinating initiatives and boosting encouraging events, creating innovative tourist products and solutions that showcase the UAE as an unique tourist destination with a unified tourism identification, and supporting the unique tourism offerings of each emirate. On the whole, the UAE includes a wide spectrum of natural, social, and heritage elements and numerous enjoyment tourist attractions.

H.E. additionally pointed out that tourist's GDP payment to the UAE in 2016 stood at 12 percent, with the total volume of tourist spending throughout the year estimated at AED 110 billion.