The UAE is committed to support international efforts to revive the travel and tourism industry, while adhering to global recommendations on Covid-19 response.
Policy action and incentives for tourism and travel companies, along with airlines are necessary for rebooting the industry, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said at an online G20 tourism ministers meeting.
Enabling aviation and tourism companies to maintain operations and continuing safe, smooth and sustainable travel are major steps towards overall recovery.
Advanced technology and digital transformation could play significant roles in accelerating recovery and enabling the continuity of the sector, he added.
“We, in the UAE, believe there is an opportunity generated along with every challenge, and that the exposure to shocks makes us stronger and resilient in the face of future crises,” Mr Al Falasi, who represented the UAE at the G20 meeting, said.
“We are confident that the tourism sector, although it is the most affected by the pandemic, will emerge stronger, faster and more resilient.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the global economy into the deepest recession since the 1930s. Airlines and firms associated with the travel and tourism sector have taken the biggest hit from the recession as governments enforced movement restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
The travel and tourism sector accounted for up to 10.3 per cent of global GDP and 330 million direct and indirect jobs in 2019.
G20 ministers also discussed ways to capitalise on growth opportunities in the post pandemic phase and to increase the sector’s contribution to sustainable development.
The ministers also reviewed the progress made by the G20’s Tourism Group, including the commitments already made in response to Covid-19.
