Hospitality Advisory Council explores opportunities for growth in UAE's hospitality sector and enhanced partnership with private sector

Meeting reviews preparations for the UAE' hosting of the 127^th Session of UN Tourism Executive Council in November

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, chaired a meeting of the Hospitality Advisory Council, held in the Al Zawraa area of the Emirate of Ajman. The meeting was attended by representatives of the public and private sectors, including major national and international hotel establishments operating in the UAE. The meeting discussed the latest developments in the sector and its priorities for the upcoming phase, notably enhancing its competitiveness, elevating the quality of hotel services, driving tourism demand, attracting investments and developing tourism products and offerings.

The Council discussed mechanisms for enhancing partnership and coordination between government entities and private sector representatives, supporting efforts to promote Emirati tourism destinations locally and internationally, and further developing visitor experiences. This contributes to cementing the UAE’s position as a global tourism destination and enhancing the hospitality sector’s ability to capitalise on continued tourism growth.

H.E. Bin Touq affirmed that the UAE continues to develop its hospitality sector and enhance its attractiveness for local and foreign investments, given its role as one of the key drivers of national economic diversification. He underlined the sector’s promising components and capabilities, and the opportunities it provides for business growth and the development of tourism products and services that support the competitiveness of UAE tourism.

H.E. said: “The private sector is a key partner in developing the UAE’s hospitality sector. Through the Council’s meetings, we work to foster dialogue with this vital sector, identify opportunities for collaboration, and exchange expertise and insights on developing tourism products and experiences. This contributes to elevating the UAE’s standing as the best tourism identity globally and consolidating its position as a leading global destination, in line with the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031.”

Preparations to host the UN Tourism Executive Council Meeting

The Council reviewed the preparations for the UAE' hosting of the 127^th Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council for the first time, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from 23 to 25 November 2026. It represents a significant opportunity to highlight the UAE’s standing as a leading global tourism destination and showcase the diversity of its experiences and destinations to attendees including international tourism leaders and global media.

Participants in the meeting affirmed that hosting this session represents an important opportunity to highlight the UAE’s stature and tourism leadership, showcase the national tourism sector’s capacity for continued growth and development, and present the country’s long-term vision for developing a sustainable and competitive tourism sector. It will also help enhance the UAE’s presence in international tourism forums and facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices with leading global tourism figures and experts.

Enhancing national presence at the Arabian Travel Market 2026

The Council also discussed the UAE’s participation in the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2026), including the activities, sessions, and partnerships with entities and companies operating in the sector. This contributes to delivering a unified national message on the competitiveness of the UAE’s tourism sector, showcasing the diversity of destinations and tourism experiences in the country, and strengthening cooperation with international markets and tourism partners.

New regulatory framework for collective management in music

Additionally, the meeting discussed the new regulatory framework for the commercial use of copyright-protected music, as one of the areas of intellectual property rights. This framework will become applicable starting 1 December 2026 and includes annual licensing requirements for relevant establishments, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafés, shopping centres, sports clubs, among others, with fees varying according to the type of establishment, its size, and the nature of music usage.