Latest news with #AbdullaBinTouq
UAE Moments
an hour ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
GCC Approves Unified Tourist Visa, Launch Expected Soon
A major move for Gulf tourism is underway. A single tourist visa covering all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been officially approved, according to UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. In a recent interview, Al Marri confirmed that the visa is now in the final stages of preparation and will be rolled out once the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities complete implementation. One Visa, Six Destinations Once in effect, the unified tourist visa will allow international travelers to explore the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain without the need for separate entry permits for each country. The move is expected to simplify travel across the Gulf, support regional tourism goals, and boost visitor numbers—especially for those who want to experience multiple destinations in a single trip. What's Next? While no official rollout date has been announced, the plan is already in motion. The visa is now with the interior ministries and key agencies across the region for final processing. This step aligns with ongoing efforts to promote the Gulf as a connected tourism hub, making cross-border travel smoother, faster, and more attractive to international tourists.
The National
15 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Sheikh Mohammed announces AI system to become advisory UAE Cabinet member from 2026
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday announced a host of changes taking place within the UAE government. He said the National Artificial Intelligence System will be an advisory member of the UAE Cabinet, starting in January 2026. He also announced the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, with Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi as its minister, and a name-change from the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, headed by Abdulla bin Touq. 'We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member of the Cabinet, the Ministerial Development Council, and all boards of directors of federal entities and government companies, starting in January 2026,' Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X. 'The goal is to support decision-making in these councils, conduct immediate analyses of their decisions, provide technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted by these councils across all sectors.' 'The world is going through comprehensive restructuring, scientifically, economically and socially and our goal is being ready today for the coming decades and ensuring continuing prosperity and a decent life for the following generations,' he added. Building on a legacy of innovation AI has been at the heart of UAE policy for some time. In October 2017, the Emirates appointed the world's first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Al Olama. His title is now Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Subsequently, in early 2019, the UAE adopted an ambitious plan called the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 – to become one of the leading nations in AI by 2031. In the same year, the country established the world's first graduate-level, research-based university that was dedicated to AI, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. And in January, Abu Dhabi launched its Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to transform the emirate into the world's first fully artificial intelligence-powered government by 2027. At the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that over the next 25 years, artificial intelligence would move civilisation ahead faster than at any stage in history.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
Abu Dhabi: The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: "Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period." H.E. added: "These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today." The Minister of Economy continued: "The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
GCC-unified tourist visa approved, set for imminent rollout
Doha, Qatar: A Schengen-style single tourist visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been officially approved and is set to be rolled out soon, a UAE Minister has confirmed. UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri said this to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp press conference. "The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully soon. Now it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it," the Minister told the newspaper. The strategic move is seen as a critical milestone for regional tourism, enabling seamless travelling across all six GCC countries - Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain. Once implemented, the visa will enable access to all six GCC countries, simplify paper work for tourists and enable easier travel for residents across GCC. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
MoE launches Summer Hospitality Camp 2025 to build national capabilities in the hospitality sector
School and university students interested in Summer Camp can register online via Abu Dhabi: In the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, the Ministry of Economy launched the 'Summer Hospitality Camp 2025'. The comprehensive training program places students in real-world hospitality settings such as hotels and tourism facilities to enhance national tourism capabilities, supporting broader efforts to develop human capital in the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors. The initiative aligns with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and is being implemented in strategic partnership with academic institutions, tourism and hospitality companies, and leading hospitality providers across the country. The launch event was attended by H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General elect of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the 2026–2029 term, it was also attended by nearly 100 people representing the country's hospitality sector, along with student leaders, and industry professionals. Speaking at the event, H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that tourism has become a key driver of sustainable development and economic competitiveness, thanks to the vision and support of the UAE's wise leadership. Pointing out the sector's outstanding performance, he highlighted the importance of preparing leaders and developing national capabilities across tourism-related activities to ensure sustainable growth and enhance the sector's contribution to economic and social development. The Ministry of Economy works closely with government and private sector partners to achieve this strategic objective. H.E. added: 'The Summer Hospitality Camp is an investment in our young Emiratis, designed to equip them with the skills and training needed to thrive in the tourism sector. It reflects our commitment to increasing local participation in this vital industry and aligns with our vision for a dynamic tourism future led by capable Emirati talent. Through this initiative, we are preparing the next generation of leaders and innovators who will enrich the visitor experience in the UAE and serve as true ambassadors of our authentic Emirati identity and globally recognized hospitality.' H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais emphasized that the camp marks a significant step forward in building national capacity within the tourism sector. She noted that the program plays a vital role in developing human capital and cultivating world-class expertise through hands-on experience across various tourism and hospitality fields in the UAE. This model, she explained, aligns with global trends that position tourism as a key driver of economic and social development, advancing progress by building capabilities, attracting talent, and fostering innovation and sustainability. The Summer Hospitality Camp enhances Emiratization in the tourism sector by empowering country's youth and bridging the gap between university degrees and the labor market. It equips participants with practical experience and personal skills prior to entering the workforce. The program also focuses on building leadership qualities, teamwork spirit, and a culture of service excellence, while offering specialized hands-on training. The initiative will enable students to explore sustainable, long-term career pathways that align with global tourism growth and adhere to the highest international standards, further empowering youth to play an active and influential role in shaping the future economy. Organized in partnership with 35 hotel and tourism establishments across the UAE, the camp targets UAE nationals and residents aged 15 to 22, including high school and university students. It offers five specialized tracks: Hotels, Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Services, and Event Management. Programs will run from two to four weeks depending on the track, and include field training, mentorship sessions, site visits, and interactive workshops. Participants will receive accredited participation certificates. Students interested in joining can register at: The application period for the program will close at the end of June 2025. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
