The UAE has ranked highest in the Middle East and North Africa in a new global tourism report from the World Economic Forum.
With an overall score of 4.5 out of 7, the Emirates is also the highest ranked in the world when it comes to having top-notch airports and air transport. The UAE scored highly for its smart services and reputation as a safe place to for tourists to visit.
As well as leading the Mena rankings, the UAE is ranked No 25 globally, an upwards move of one spot when compared with the equivalent study in 2019.
Ranking 117 destinations on factors such as development, sustainability and resiliency of tourism, The Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 ranks Saudi Arabia second in the Mena region.
The kingdom has the largest travel and tourism economy in this part of the world and has had the biggest leap in rankings, moving from 43rd place in 2019 to 33rd in 2021.
It picked up points for managing travel demand to prevent overtourism, being a safe place to visit and use of digital technology, but lost points for international openness.
The UAE lost points for its natural resources, a measurement that reflects the available natural surrounds of a destination as well as the development of outdoor tourism activities.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Qatar ranks third (No 44 globally), while Israel is fifth (No 47).
The index revealed that the hard-hit tourism sector is showing recovery in many parts of the world after the Covid-19 pandemic, but also revealed that tourism has changed.
“The sector and its customers have probably changed permanently," Pedro Gomez Pensado, from the World Economic Forum, said. "Travellers have become more discerning, not least about the health and hygiene conditions in potential destinations. They are also cautious about the impact of future coronavirus variants or challenges in the form of government policies, border closures and travel disruptions."
Globally, Japan ranked first in the index, scoring big for its cultural resources and in several infrastructure categories. The United States is second in the world, followed by Spain, France and Germany to round up the top-five spots.
Overall, Vietnam had the greatest improvement, moving from No 60 to No 52 in the world. Malaysia, India and Mongolia had the biggest declines.
Europe, Asia and the Pacific dominate the rankings, but Sub-Saharan Africa had the greatest improvement in performance.
This year’s report is an evolution of the Travel and Tourism competitiveness Index that has been published biannually for the last 15 years. The change includes a renewed focus on tourism’s role in economic and social development.
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
