UAE companies upbeat on prospects of a speedy recovery in tourism sector

The World Travel Market (WTM) concluded here on Thursday with hopes of a speedy recovery in the global tourism industry.

UAE participants in the WTM also expressed satisfaction with the response from international tour operators.

"Once again the World Travel Market provided us with a great opportunity to promote and market a number of Sharjah's tourism packages, and to set Sharjah up as a distinctive tourism destination on the international tourism map," Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said.

"The rapid growth of the emirate's economic sectors, coupled with the ever-increasing number of tourists, points to tourism investment becoming a pivotal source of income over the next few years. Therefore, we intend to continue participating in local, regional and international tourism events to promote Sharjah as a world-class tourism destination.

"The success we have experienced here motivates us to work even harder to achieve our goals and Sharjah's vision of attaining real growth for the emirate's tourism sector, which is one of the most important contributing sectors to the emirate's GDP," he added.

The event concluded with a hope of recovery following a decline in international tourism arrivals.

Dr Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, said, "The world tourism sector is regaining confidence. The industry is bottoming out and we expect a 1-3 per cent growth next year."

International arrivals are projected to decline to 600 million by the end of this year from 643 million last year.

About 175 companies from the UAE participated under five government-led stands.

The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) representing the Dubai Government, had the biggest UAE stand with 78 participants, followed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) that hosted 57 participants at its stand while SCTDA representing Sharjah led a team of more than 20 participants.

RAK Tourism and the Fujairah Tourism Board also hosted more than 20 hotels and tour operators between them.

"We have opened four new hotels in Ras Al Khaimah with more to come in the next few months," Dr Khater Massaad, adviser to the RAK Crown Prince and Chief Executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA). "Our presence here is to create awareness among the global travel and tourism community on the tourism attractions of Ras Al Khaimah."

The event, held at ExCel London, owned by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, also marks 20 years of Dubai's participation.

Laila Suhail, CEO of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), who is promoting the forthcoming annual event, said, "The WTM has helped us to promote the DSF and shopping tourism in Dubai. At the end of the day, Dubai is a shopping destination. Here we are going to sign partnership agreements with two global brands for the DSF. So, yes, our participation is very successful."

Kulwant Singh, owner of Dubai-based Lama Tours, said, "For us, the event is a platform to create awareness among the global tour operators."

Travel industry must act to tackle climate change

With just 22 days to the opening of the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, the travel industry must play its part in fighting the catastrophic effects of global warming, officials said.

Launching the third World Travel Market World Responsible Tourism Day, Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of the World Travel Market, said: "December's climate summit is vital to more than just our industry. It's essential for the future of our children and our grandchildren."

"Just imagine Switzerland or Colorado with no winter sports; or the traditional sunny hotspots becoming like a total desert.

"It doesn't bear thinking about - but without sounding alarmist, the world's scientists are in agreement that this could happen unless action is taken."

She said the focus of debate on carbon efficiency in travel and tourism is shifting as there is an increasing acceptance that carbon offsetting simply does not deliver what the industry needs.

"Instead, the industry needs to be clever, to think out of the box, to scrutinise and invest in the latest technology and cutting-edge ideas to develop carbon efficiency," she said.

"International travel and tourism has a hugely positive influence on the quality of people's lives across the world: last year alone the industry created 30 per cent of the world's export of services, generating a staggering $944 billion (Dh3.7 trillion) and providing jobs, investment, poverty reduction, skills training, education and much more.

"Doing nothing is no longer an option… no longer an option, that is, if we want to look forward to the future success of the industry."