Tourists gather to look at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Tourists gather to look at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Tourists gather to look at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Tourists gather to look at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE's travel industry set to create 23,600 new jobs this year


Deena Kamel
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The UAE's travel and tourism sector is projected to create 23,600 additional jobs in 2024 to reach a total of about 833,000 jobs this year, with the outlook remaining strong despite the continuing Israel-Gaza war, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

That is up 2.9 per cent from last year and 14.7 per cent from 2019 before the pandemic that decimated the sector worldwide, the global tourism body said on Thursday in its latest UAE Economic Impact report.

Tourists to the UAE are expected to increase their spending during visits to the country that is home to the world's tallest building, iconic luxury hotels and an outpost of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.

International visitor spending in the UAE is projected to grow 9.5 per cent year-on year to reach nearly Dh192 billion ($52.2 billion) in 2024, the WTTC data shows. Meanwhile, domestic visitor spending is forecast to increase by 4.3 per cent to stand at Dh58 billion.

The UAE travel and tourism sectors' contribution to the national gross domestic product in 2024 will reach Dh236.4 billion, representing 12 per cent of the total economy, the WTTC data shows. The sector's estimated contribution to the Arab world's second largest economy this year is a 7.6 per cent increase from 2023 and up 23 per cent compared to 2019.

The UAE's travel outlook is buoyed by the ease of travel through its airports, "sensible" visa policies, diverse tourism offerings, greater opportunities for business travel and the expected return of Chinese visitors to the country in larger numbers this year, Julia Simpson, the WTTC president and chief executive, told The National on Thursday during a trip to Abu Dhabi.

"The UAE is really knocking it out of the park in terms of attracting visitors," she said.

"In 2019, Chinese visitors were the third-biggest visitors to the UAE, then they dropped off the top five. I'm sure they’ll be back this year," she said, citing gradual improvements in China's airline capacity.

  • Dubai attracted 16.73 million tourists in 2019, before the pandemic. Reuters
    Dubai attracted 16.73 million tourists in 2019, before the pandemic. Reuters
  • Hatta is an exclave of Dubai high in the Hajar Mountains. Tourism in the area is being developed, with a focus on outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Hatta Dam.
    Hatta is an exclave of Dubai high in the Hajar Mountains. Tourism in the area is being developed, with a focus on outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Hatta Dam.
  • Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as the adventure emirate in the UAE and is home to the world's longest zipline.
    Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as the adventure emirate in the UAE and is home to the world's longest zipline.
  • Flyboard demonstrations at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. Christopher Pike / The National
    Flyboard demonstrations at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Sand dunes in the empty quarter area of the Rub al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    Sand dunes in the empty quarter area of the Rub al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • Views of the famous Dubai skyline at sunset. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
    Views of the famous Dubai skyline at sunset. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
  • Sunset at Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Sunset at Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • An aerial view of the mountains of Hatta in Dubai. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
    An aerial view of the mountains of Hatta in Dubai. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
  • Dubai was ranked the most liveable city in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. Getty
    Dubai was ranked the most liveable city in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. Getty
  • A sandy beach in Fujairah. Getty Images
    A sandy beach in Fujairah. Getty Images
  • Water taxis on Dubai Creek take people from Bur Dubai to Deira and back again at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Water taxis on Dubai Creek take people from Bur Dubai to Deira and back again at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Burj Khalifa skyscraper (centre left) stands above the city skyline seen through the Dubai Frame architectural landmark in Dubai. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
    The Burj Khalifa skyscraper (centre left) stands above the city skyline seen through the Dubai Frame architectural landmark in Dubai. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg

The UAE in November 2022 announced an ambitious national tourism strategy that aims to raise the sector’s contribution to the GDP to Dh450 billion by 2031, with an annual increase of Dh27 billion. It also targets attracting 40 million hotel guests by 2031 and Dh100 billion in tourism investment to the UAE.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its crown as the world's busiest international hub for passengers for a 10th consecutive year in 2023, as long-haul travel demand continues to boom, preliminary data by the Airports Council International (ACI) showed. DXB handled 86.9 million passengers in 2023, a 31.7 per cent increase on the previous year.

Dubai also recorded its best-ever annual tourism performance in 2023, with international tourist arrivals to the emirate increasing by 19.4 per cent annually to 17.15 million, according to government data.

The WTTC's 2024 outlook comes as the UAE's travel and tourism sectors grew by more than a quarter last year. They contributed a record-breaking Dh220 billion to the UAE’s GDP, or 11.7 per cent of the economy, according to the latest WTTC data.

The sectors' economic contribution in 2023 grew 26.4 per cent year-on-year and 14.3 per cent on 2019 levels, the WTTC said.

Last year, the number of travel and tourism jobs in the UAE grew 5.3 per cent to 809,300, representing one in nine jobs in the country.

After the UAE travel and tourism jobs that were lost during the Covid pandemic in 2020 were fully recovered in 2022, the sector jobs have increased 11 per cent in 2023 compared to 2019 levels.

Domestic visitor spending in the UAE fully recovered in 2022 and grew 8.9 per cent last year to reach Dh55.6 billion. This is 38.2 per cent higher than 2019.

International visitor spending surged by 39.3 per cent in 2023 to reach Dh175.2 billion, which is 12.1 per cent above 2019 levels, as the UAE continued to develop as a global tourism destination, the WTTC said.

A decade of growth

Over the next decade, the UAE's travel and tourism industry is projected to employ more than 928,000 people across the country, with one in nine residents working in the sector, the report said.

The sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to more than Dh275 billion by 2034, representing about 11 per cent of the UAE economy, it said.

The UAE’s economy has continued to expand amid government initiatives to diversify away from oil with an emphasis on growing priority sectors such as manufacturing, tourism and technology.

The UAE Central Bank has increased its 2024 growth forecast for the country's economy to 5.7 per cent, from 4.3 per cent previously, it said in December.

Middle East tourism outlook

Meanwhile in the Middle East, the WTTC expects travel and tourism sector's GDP contribution is set to reach $507 billion in 2024.

The Israel-Gaza war is a "terrible human tragedy", and in terms of its impact on tourism-dependent economies, it has most affected Palestine and Israel as they are directly involved, and countries immediately surrounding the conflict zone such as Jordan, Ms Simpson said.

"The conflict is a terrible tragedy. In tourism terms, it hasn’t spread around the Middle East. There are strong tourism numbers in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman. Egypt is also doing well."

Countries outside the immediate zone of the conflict are not included in travel advisories and airlines are maintaining strong flight connections, which are giving travellers confidence to visit the region, she said.

Asked about the impact of escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran on regional tourism, Ms Simpson said the situation is "not dampening desire for people to visit the broader region" but that it is "something to keep an eye on".

The proposed single GCC tourism visa is "a smart move" that will allow smooth travel between the six-country bloc and help boost tourism numbers, Ms Simpson said, comparing it to the success of the Schengen visa in Europe.

"That visa facilitation will be very positive," she said.

Sector jobs in the region are forecast to reach 8.3 million, international visitor spending is projected to stand at $198 billion and domestic visitor spending is expected to hit more than $224 billion, the WTTC said.

This comes despite the Israel war in Gaza approaching 200 days on April 24, with devastating humanitarian and economic impact in Palestine. Israel's bombing has killed more than 38,899 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and razed large areas of the enclave.

Geopolitical tensions further increased after Iran attacked Israel on Saturday in retaliation for the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, on April 1. Israel said it has decided to respond to the Iranian attack.

The Middle East and Central Asia's economy is forecast to grow 2.8 per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund's latest report in April. This is a slight downwards revision from the fund's January expectation.

The Mena region's GDP is forecast to rise to 2.7 per cent in 2024, a “tepid” increase from 1.9 per cent in 2023, the World Bank said in its April report.

In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Alasdair%20Soussi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20300%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Scotland%20Street%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20December%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others

Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.

As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.

Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.

“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”

Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.

“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”

Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.

Salah in numbers

€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of 39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.

13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.

57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.

7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.

3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.

40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.

30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.

8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

Three ways to get a gratitude glow

By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
  • As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
  • In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
Brief scores:

Scotland 371-5, 50 overs (C MacLeod 140 no, K Coetzer 58, G Munsey 55)

England 365 all out, 48.5 overs (J Bairstow 105, A Hales 52; M Watt 3-55)

Result: Scotland won by six runs

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m

RESULT

Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds:
 Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')

Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)

European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons.  Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

Results

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit

As he spoke, Mr Aboul Gheit repeatedly referred to the need to tackle issues affecting the welfare of people across the region both in terms of preventing conflict and in pushing development.
Lebanon is scheduled to host the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in January that will see regional leaders gather to tackle the challenges facing the Middle East. The last such summit was held in 2013. Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki told The National that the Beirut Summit “will be an opportunity for Arab leaders to discuss solely economic and social issues, the conference will not focus on political concerns such as Palestine, Syria or Libya". He added that its slogan will be “the individual is at the heart of development”, adding that it will focus on all elements of human capital.

Updated: April 18, 2024, 12:10 PM