Cairo: The Emirates Tourism Council convened its first meeting of 2026 in Al Ain, chaired by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, with the participation of heads and directors general of local tourism departments across the UAE. The meeting focused on plans to promote UAE’s destinations and landmarks.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Council reviewed the outcomes of the sixth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, noting its role in supporting tourism revenue growth and enhancing the UAE’s attraction to global visitors. The Council also assessed promotional plans for the country’s destinations, landmarks, and local tourism departments’ offerings for the year, aiming to support sustainable growth and strengthen the sector’s presence on a regional and international scale.
Bin Touq highlighted the UAE’s focus on developing tourism as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and a key driver of national GDP. He noted the country’s success in creating a world-class tourism ecosystem, supported by diverse offerings, quality infrastructure, and exceptional experiences that meet global visitor expectations.
The meeting concentrated on identifying joint priorities in coordination with relevant tourism entities and emphasized integration among the seven emirates to promote tourism offerings. Bin Touq stated that this strategy enhances national efforts, reinforces the national tourism identity, and positions the UAE as a unified destination that combines various tourism forms.
The exchange of plans among local entities was seen as a way to foster coordination and support promotional campaigns. The meeting also highlighted the importance of partnerships with national airlines, global booking platforms, and private-sector partners to boost tourism flows and enhance competitiveness.
Data harnessing was discussed to identify priority markets by leveraging travel trend analyses and demand indicators. This approach targets markets with high potential in demand volume, growth rates, and tourism spending, especially in the GCC, Europe, and Asia, enhancing the UAE’s ability to achieve measurable outcomes in tourism development.
The Council reviewed proposed initiatives, including participation in global tourism exhibitions, organizing familiarization trips with national airlines, and marketing campaigns on digital and traditional media platforms. Participants emphasized strengthening efforts within an integrated national framework to promote the UAE’s tourism identity and encourage visitors to explore multiple emirates during a single visit, reinforcing the UAE’s status as a global tourism destination.