During its participation in the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly
 

UAE welcomes ‘Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism;’ showcases latest developments in the digital transformation of its tourism sector

Priorities outlined in the Declaration align with the UAE’s approach to tourism development

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, which was officially adopted during the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, held in the Saudi capital from November 7 to 11. The declaration seeks to redefine the future of tourism by advancing innovation and driving digital transformation across the sector.

The UAE delegation at the session was headed by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. His Excellency reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the declaration’s objectives by promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices in developing sustainable tourism destinations, enhancing cooperation in digital innovation and data systems within the sector, and expanding capacity-building and professional training programs for member states — all aimed at advancing a sustainable tourism industry at both the regional and global levels.

During his remarks at the session, His Excellency stated: “The declaration helps establish a unified global vision for the future of the sector, under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and with the active participation of the Organization’s member states. It lays the foundation for a more resilient, connected, and forward-looking future for global tourism.”

His Excellency underscored that the declaration sets out a clear roadmap for addressing the challenges facing the global tourism sector, enabling destinations to balance economic growth with the preservation of culture and environmental responsibility. He noted that the declaration also reinforces the investment in future opportunities by placing innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation at the core of the shared global agenda.

“The priorities outlined in the Riyadh Declaration align with the UAE’s approach to tourism sector development - an approach that embeds sustainability into destination planning, advances digital transformation and data governance, and invests in human capital to ensure that tourism remains a catalyst for opportunity and growth within our communities,” His Excellency added.

Session on the impact of artificial intelligence on tourism

Furthermore, H.E. Bin Touq participated in an open panel on AI policies in tourism titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Shaping Global Tourism.” He highlighted the UAE’s digital transformation journey in the sector, emphasizing the integration of AI technologies and advanced digital solutions to enhance sustainability and strengthen its global competitiveness. His Excellency also underscored the country’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, technology-driven tourism experiences through smart applications that meet leading international standards, while continuing to expand and diversify tourism offerings and destinations across the Emirates.

At the session, His Excellency stated: “This dialogue comes at a pivotal phase, as the global tourism sector undergoes a profound transformation driven by rapid digital acceleration. In the UAE, and under the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, we see artificial intelligence not as a standalone technology, but as a strategic enabler for sustainable tourism growth, enhanced competitiveness, and exceptional visitor experiences. In this regard, we remain committed to strengthening international partnerships and contributing actively to the development of AI solutions that advance global tourism, rather than merely consuming its technologies and applications.”

His Excellency further noted that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is currently implementing a series of digital initiatives and projects under the National Tourism Strategy 2031. Among these is the digital data integration project linking hotel establishments with local tourism authorities. He added that, in 2026, the Ministry aims to launch new projects focused on further developing and diversifying the UAE’s tourism offerings, advancing digital transformation across the sector through the adoption of innovative solutions and modern technologies, and embedding sustainability.

H.E. Bin Touq explained that the UAE has prioritized the integration of artificial intelligence as a key pillar to enhance the competitiveness of its tourism sector and increase its contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion by 2031, to strengthen the country’s position among the world’s leading destinations in tourism innovation and excellence.

In this context, H.E. Bin Touq stated: “The UAE has established clear national governance frameworks for artificial intelligence to ensure the adoption of a responsible and integrated governance approach, guided by the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and supported by federal and local tourism authorities. These frameworks ensure the ethical handling of data while upholding the highest standards of consumer privacy and trust.”

His Excellency pointed out that the UAE’s approach in this regard is built on strong partnerships and the comprehensive development of the AI ecosystem. The country works closely with the private sector, global technology partners, academic institutions, and tourism operators to develop AI-driven solutions for personalized travel planning, smart destination management, predictive demand analytics, sustainability monitoring, and seamless visitor services across transportation, hospitality, and cultural attractions.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism further highlighted that the UAE has introduced financial incentives and regulatory incubators to support startups and tech companies in testing and scaling innovations and AI applications related to tourism. The country continues to strengthen its investments in capacity-building by equipping tourism professionals with new digital competencies and developing programs in data science, machine learning, and hospitality technology.

H.E. Abdullah bin Touq emphasized that the UAE government’s top priority in this regard is to ensure that the country’s AI-driven transformation remains inclusive and responsible - benefiting tourists, visitors, the local community, small and medium-sized enterprises, and professionals across the tourism sector - while preserving cultural identity and heritage and maintaining a human-centered approach.

H.E. concluded by reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to working closely with other UN Tourism member states to strengthen knowledge sharing, exchange of best practices and expertise, and promote ethical and responsible AI governance. He emphasized that these collective efforts aim to shape a more resilient, innovative, and inclusive global tourism sector.

The session underscored the vital role of artificial intelligence technologies and solutions in reshaping the global tourism landscape, introducing innovative tools that promote sustainability and elevate the visitor experience. It also explored best practices in ensuring ethics, good governance, and inclusivity in the application of AI within the tourism industry. The session witnessed broad participation from member states, who shared their experiences and policies on harnessing artificial intelligence to advance the growth and competitiveness of their national tourism sectors.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a cooperation agreement with UN Tourism to develop a digital platform designed to advance the sector’s digital transformation and facilitate communication among member states during the Organization’s meetings and events. The platform also offers enhanced services such as e-voting and digital registration for UN Tourism activities and events.