UAE tops Mena region in tourism

Dubai: The UAE has been placed above other Arab countries in two key World Economic Forum indices, a statement said.

The UAE has been ranked the highest among countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region on the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.

It has also been placed first among Arab countries on the Global Information Technology Report's Networked Readiness Index.

The UAE achieved 18th place, well ahead of Tunisia, the second-ranked Arab country in 34th place, on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index list, which covered 124 countries.

The UAE received the highest score for effective destination marketing campaigns. The country's world class infrastructure, particularly air transport, ranked a very high eighth out of all the countries assessed.

National tourism perception is rated third in the world, with an extremely positive attitude towards foreign travellers, and pride in the value of the country for tourism.

The UAE also ranked first among Arab countries on the Global Information Technology Report's Networked Readiness Index. The UAE came 29th on the WEF's 2006-07 report.

Covering 122 economies and published for the sixth consecutive year, The Global Information Technology Report (GITR) includes nine Arab nations.

It is considered the world's most respected assessment of the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the development process and the competitiveness of nations.

Produced by the World Economic Forum, in cooperation with INSEAD, the leading international business school, the report said the UAE had been placing a growing emphasis on the role of ICT for development in recent years.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said: "The UAE government is keen to apply international standards and global best practices. This has been recognised in a series of international reports that endorse the country's sound development strategies."

Al Gergawi said these achievements are strong incentives for individuals as well as private and government entities to double their efforts to achieve still higher international positioning in various areas.

"His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, during the launch of the UAE Federal Strategy, urged all UAE nationals to double their efforts to ensure the UAE's top global ranking in all areas," he said.