Within the framework of the international coordination of the United Arab Emirates to confront the current global health crisis, Minister of Economy Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori participated in the extraordinary meeting of the ministers of tourism in the countries of the Group of Twenty to discuss the latest developments of the current crisis and its implications for the tourism sector and ways to support the sector by coordinating international efforts and exploring ways to mitigate The burden on investors, protecting travelers and workers in the sector, and ensuring increased sector preparedness and sustainability in the face of future crises.
The remote meeting was chaired by the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Khatib, and the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - the country of the presidency and the host of the G20 meetings for the year 2020, in the presence of the ministers of tourism and sector representatives from the countries of the Group of Twenty and representatives of international organizations including the World Tourism Organization and the World Tourism and Travel Council Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
In an intervention by Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, during which he stressed that the tourism sector is one of the most vital sectors in the country with a total contribution of about 11.9% of the gross domestic product and that it contributes to providing about 745 thousand job opportunities according to the data of the World Travel Tourism Council for 2019.
He stressed that tourism is one of the flexible sectors that recover quickly from crises, which we have seen in previous global crises, and we will also see it in the current crisis, although the sector is one of the sectors most affected by the global health implications, but we believe that it will be one of the first sectors Which will recover after the crisis, and will play an important role in supporting the national economy.
During his intervention, the ministers called on the attendees to the importance of remembering the achievements and contributions made by the tourism sector to our countries, as it is the sector that supports national companies and local communities around the world and helps governments in creating a better life for their citizens and creating job opportunities for millions around the world. Tourism is one of the most vital tributaries of the national economies of different countries. the world.
He said that since the beginning of the current crisis, the UAE has taken many measures and measures to reduce its effects, and the country is working around the clock to alleviate the social and economic repercussions of this crisis. And that through a team at the national level for crisis management to confront the spread of the virus and support our health infrastructure, and the application of extensive precautionary measures, and the construction of specialized testing centers within a few days, which increased the number of tests and increased the rate of early detection of cases.
He pointed out that the state, with a view to mitigating the economic impact of the crisis, presented comprehensive and multiple stimulus programs at the federal and local levels. Where the Central Bank announced a comprehensive package of economic incentives worth 283 billion dirhams. In addition, UAE local governments have offered stimulus packages and initiatives to support their economies that include reducing the cost of doing business, reducing licensing costs, reducing electricity and water bills and hotel tourism fees, as well as supporting small and medium-sized companies.
He stressed that the most important priorities at the present time are the security and safety of residents and visitors and the continuity of the work of the tourism sector and the preservation of workers in the sector, and for this the country welcomes cooperation and coordination with all countries of the world and international organizations, especially the World Tourism Organization to address the repercussions of the current crisis.
Al-Mansouri added that while governments around the world are intensifying their efforts to tackle the new Corona virus (Covid-19) in an attempt to reduce its negative effects on their people and economies, the need for international cooperation is today more urgent and more necessary than ever .
For their part, all the tourism ministers participating in the meeting affirmed their commitment to work together to provide support to the tourism sector and welcomed national efforts to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the crisis by the G20 countries.
To address the direct effects of the crisis, the ministers of tourism announced their commitment to coordination between each of the health authorities, immigration authorities, security authorities and all other relevant parties to ensure complementary work among them when developing or removing travel restrictions, and that it be appropriate and appropriate to the measures taken at the local and international levels, to achieve a guarantee Safety of travelers.
In order to enhance the economic recovery, the ministers of tourism announced their commitment to ensuring a safe travel environment that helps rebuild consumer confidence in the tourism sector by enhancing coordination at the regional and international levels and providing support to tourism sector companies especially MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and workers (MSMEs). ) With the aim of adapting and flourishing in the post-crisis phase, as well as accelerating the transition of the tourism and travel sector to a more sustainable path on the economic, social and environmental levels.
To encourage a comprehensive recovery in the sector, tourism ministers will work to support developing economies that depend on the tourism and travel sector, especially in Africa and small islands, and explore opportunities, such as capacity building programs in the tourism and travel sector to help the global economy achieve recovery, and help the sector to become More comprehensive, flexible and powerful.