Tourexpi
The
tourism landscape of the Middle East is undergoing a significant
transformation, driven by strong government support through economic
diversification efforts. Tourism has emerged as a strategic sector offering
opportunities for job creation, revenue generation, and sustainable growth. In
2023, the Middle East was leading the sector’s global recovery, being the only
region to surpass pre-pandemic levels with arrivals reaching 87.1 million
international tourists, 22% above 2019 levels.
The
region is also performing well on investments: 254 greenfield projects were
announced between 2018 to 2023, representing a total capital investment of USD
15.2 billion, and supporting the creation of an estimated 33,690 jobs.
The
Middle East is also establishing itself as a global leader in tourism
investments, and UN Tourism returned to the AIM Congress to focus on some of
the key issues relating to this key priority for the sector: equality and
innovation.
"The
Middle East is blooming as a destination and as a major player in the global
tourism sector. It was the only region where international arrivals last year
were actually above pre-pandemic levels, and it's leading the way in greenfield
investment projects and in creating jobs. UN Tourism is delighted to be working
with the region around our shared priorities", says UN Tourism Executive
Director, Natalia Bayona.
Fostering
Innovation, Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
On
the opening day of the Congress, UN Tourism held a special session centered
around two pivotal themes: "Investing in Innovation" and
"Enabling Women Entrepreneurs”. Experts provided insights into empowering
women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and investing in the next generation
of women in technology to drive sustainable tourism growth.
As
part of its commitment to gender equality and empowerment, UN Tourism also
launched the second edition of its Women in Tech Startups competition for the
region, aiming to recognize and support innovative tech-driven startups led by
women entrepreneurs working in three categories: People and Skills, Green
Travel Solutions and Market Innovators.
Tourism
Investments in the Middle East chapter
On
the second day, the AIM Congress served as a platform for UN Tourism to engage
global stakeholders in a discussion surrounding tourism investments in the
Middle East. UN Tourism highlighted the importance of tourism trends and
sustainable investment practices, discussing policies that support such
initiatives and exploring tourism growth in navigating investment horizons.
The
session aimed at to provide insights into the evolving tourism landscape of the
Middle East, showcasing traditional and non-traditional investment
opportunities and emphasizing the region’s growing influence on global tourism
investments. As the global tourism landscape evolves, the region plays a
pivotal role in shaping the future of the sector through its vision, investment
initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Participants called for the need of
collaborative efforts between governments, private investors, civil society,
and local communities to shape a tourism sector that is not only economically
successful but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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