UAE makes it to Top 20 global rankings for tourism despite COVID-19 disruption
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2021-06
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Abu Dhabi: The UAE was ranked among the Top 20 countries for 2020 on five indicators related to the competitiveness of the tourism sector. The country also ranked eighth in the world in marketing effectiveness when it comes to attracting tourists, according to the Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Report from the World Bank.
According to stats issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, the tourism and hotel sectors in the UAE witnessed a 158.3 per cent growth during the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter. The growth in the number of guests coincided with an increase in the number of hotels and hotel apartments that resumed operations. Their numbers increased to 1,032 at the end of the third quarter compared to 929 in the April to end June phase of 2020.
The UAE has worked on many initiatives since the pandemic hit, whether at the federal or emirate level, to nurse the tourism and travel sector back to health.
In Pictures: The Hotel Show and Index Dubai 2021
For more than 20 years, the show has been driving and inspiring change in the industry
Visitors explore all that the regional and international hospitality sector offers at The Hotel Show and Index taking place at the DWTC on 31st May 2021. The event provides a platform for hospitality professionals to network and source new and innovative products and trends.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, takes a tour during The Hotel Show and Index.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Guests were invited to discover this unique Installation designed by Kristina Zanic Design Consultants and built by Bond Interiors, titled “The Bottleneck.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Visitors can look forward to three days of engaging networking and rich inspiration, enhanced with a world-class line-up of conferences and seminars, supplemented with a host of live competitions and demonstrations.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Experts predict that the UAE will be one of the fastest tourism markets in the world to recover from the pandemic, due to its strong governance and regulatory framework, and rapid vaccination roll-out.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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A survey conducted by GRS in partnership with The Hotel Show Dubai resulted in some promising statistics on the industry’s current situation, reinforcing the positive outlook for businesses and individuals within the hotel and leisure sector.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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The survey showed that some 80 per cent of business owners in the industry are expecting an improvement for the second half of this year, in contrast to the second half of 2020.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Additionally, 82% of the industry’s business owners expect an improvement for the second half of 2021 in comparison to the first half of 2021. Above, visitors explore the CeramicArte Deruta collection on display.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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Visitors check out the latest from the Metta stall at The Hotel Show.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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The QLOCKTWO’s vibrant stall and attractive designs attracts visitors attention at INDEX.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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The three day event is broken down into five specialised conferences, including the F&B Stakeholders Summit.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
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The event is taking place in a safe and seamless environment with enhanced COVID-19 health and safety protocols.Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News
