New economic research released by the sector Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows tourism within the UAE is growing significantly faster than the area GDP growth average.
The findings can be discussed intimately as tourism leaders from all over the world meet in Abu Dhabi for WTTC Global Summit, which begins today.
The tourism industry contributed 14 per cent to the UAE economy in 2012 – well above the worldwide trend of nine per cent.
Taking account of direct, indirect and induced impacts, AED193.6 billion of the UAE’s GDP came from the industry in 2012 and that contribution is anticipated to rise by 3.2 per cent by the top of the year.
One in nine of all jobs within the country are on account of the industry, which beats the worldwide average of 1 in eleven jobs.
A total of 383,500 jobs were supported by travel and tourism within the UAE in 2012 and by the tip of this year, the number is anticipated to further rise by 2.6 per cent to 393,500 jobs, compared with an international expected increase of one.7 per cent.
Nearly 1 / 4 – 23 per cent – of the country’s total investment in 2012 – AED82.8bn – was directed into the industry last year and investment is determined to extend by an extra 12 per cent this year.
David Scowsill, president and chief executive of WTTC, said: “As the UAE looks to diversify its economy, it’s fully embracing the social and economic benefits of tourism and reaping the rewards already from its strong investment.
“This is one reason WTTC selected Abu Dhabi for our Global Summit.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), that’s hosting the Summit in addition to Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, says the diversification of career opportunities which the tourism sector holds out for the Emirati workforce is a key element within the emirate’s plans to construct a sustainable tourism industry.
HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “We are increasingly seeing Emiratis becoming inquisitive about this sector, which have been identified as a key economic diversification driver within the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan.
“This involvement is taking the shape of Emirati entrepreneurs launching their very own tourism-related SMEs, with assistance from the Khalifa Fund For Enterprise Development, others taking over posts within airlines, the airport, TCA Abu Dhabi, the hospitality sector and within Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.
“We have activated a variety of initiatives geared toward introducing UAE nationals to the various opportunities that exist in the travel and tourism sector and expect their participation to keep growing.”
By 2023, international tourist arrivals to the rustic are forecast to total 25.8 million, generating visitor expenditure of AED207.1 billion, a rise of 5 per cent every year.
Scowsill continued: “It’s clear that the industry goes to be a major driver of growth and employment in Abu Dhabi for a better decade.
“Its purposeful sustainable tourism approach will see it achieve its full potential of turning into a global class tourism destination within the next ten years.”