Minister of Economy and Tourism participates in FITUR Madrid 2026 to enhance tourism partnerships & consolidate the UAE’s tourism identity on global stage

H.E. highlights the sector’s importance as a key pillar in strengthening economic partnership with Spain

 H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, participated in the international tourism exhibition FITUR Madrid 2026, held from 21 to 25 January 2026 at the IFEMA Centre in Spain. The participation aimed to enhance international tourism partnerships with key regional and global markets, strengthen the presence of the UAE’s tourism identity and offerings on the international stage, and facilitate the exchange of expertise in developing sustainable tourism policies and elevating tourism destinations.

H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the strong and strategic economic relations between the UAE and Spain, reflecting the shared aspirations of the leaderships of both countries to expand the scope of cooperation at the economic, investment, and tourism levels. He noted that the tourism sector represents a key pillar in strengthening bilateral relations, creating new opportunities for joint investment, and enhancing cultural exchange and tourism expertise, contributing to the expansion of economic cooperation and sustainable growth in both countries.

H.E. said: “The tourism sector today is a key driver of sustainable development in the UAE, actively contributing to the growth of the national economy.” He pointed out that the UAE, guided by the vision of its wise leadership, has successfully cemented its position as a leading global tourism destination, attracting millions of visitors annually from around the world and offering diverse and unique tourism experiences. This has been achieved through the development of advanced infrastructure, the implementation of supportive policies for sustainable growth, and the launch of innovative initiatives that have enhanced the competitiveness of this vital sector at both the regional and global levels.

H.E. Bin Touq added: “In 2025, the UAE achieved several prominent tourism milestones at both the regional and international levels. These include the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Masfout village winning the Best Tourism Village award, and the selection of the city of Al Ain as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2026, following its designation as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025. These achievements reflect the UAE’s distinguished standing in the tourism sector and its ongoing efforts to enhance tourism competitiveness and develop sustainable destinations regionally and globally.”

Furthermore, the Minister of Economy and Tourism reviewed tourism performance indicators in the UAE during the period from January to November 2025. Hotel revenues rose to approximately AED 44.4 billion, recording a growth of 8.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, driven by an increase in the average daily rate. The number of hotel guests increased to approximately 29.1 million, achieving a 5.2 per cent growth. Meanwhile, total hotel guest nights rose to more than 99.4 million, up six per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

His Excellency said: “The exhibition serves as an ideal platform for exchanging the latest expertise and best practices related to tourism sustainability, as well as for developing high-quality projects and solutions that enhance the global tourism sector’s ability to address challenges and achieve long-term sustainable economic and social development.”

H.E. Bin Touq also visited the Abu Dhabi and Dubai pavilions at the exhibition, where he affirmed the strength and competitiveness of Emirati tourism products and services and their vital role in delivering distinguished tourism experiences that meet the expectations of visitors from around the world. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the presence of national tourism companies at international exhibitions and events.

FITUR Madrid is one of the most prominent international tourism exhibitions, serving as a key platform for discussing new global trends in tourism, showcasing opportunities in emerging markets, alongside highlighting innovative travel solutions, digital transformation, sustainable tourism, and smart travel experiences, reflecting the accelerated transformations the sector is witnessing globally.

The event seeks to explore the future of global tourism, enhance connectivity between international destinations, and facilitate the exchange of expertise in developing sustainable tourism policies. It brings together experts, executives, representatives of major tourism and travel companies, as well as government officials and policymakers. This year, the event is expected to attract more than 10,000 exhibitors and over 150,000 specialized trade visitors, making it one of the largest tourism gatherings in the world.