At Expo 2020 Dubai, the UAE and Israel agree on joint steps to support tourism exchange

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, met with His Excellency Yoel Razvozov, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, on the sidelines of the opening of the Israeli pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed developing cooperation relations in the tourism sector in both the UAE and Israel and ways to support them to achieve the common interests of the two countries.

The two ministers agreed on joint practical steps to support tourism exchange between the two countries, and they discussed increasing direct flights between the cities of the two countries with the aim of supporting the economic growth of both sides in all fields, with a focus on the tourism sector.

The two sides discussed opportunities for economic cooperation at the governmental and private levels, creating new and diverse opportunities for the business communities in the two countries in priority sectors, enhancing the available capabilities to support non-oil trade exchange, diversifying mutual investments for the post-Covid-19 pandemic, and encouraging companies to Explore available opportunities and invest in new sectors in the markets of the two countries.

Al Falasi said: "The UAE-Israel relations are growing, and we are keen to enhance their growth and development during the coming period in vital and future fields of common interest." Noting that Expo 2020 Dubai presents a golden opportunity for the Israeli business community to benefit from the promising prospects for economic cooperation between the two countries in Various vital fields, especially in the field of tourism and the development of quality projects, by taking advantage of the competitive economic environment in the country, which will reflect positively on the economic landscape in the two countries. He explained that the volume of non-oil trade exchange between the UAE and Israel amounted to about 700 million US dollars during One year of the Abrahamic Peace Agreement.

His Excellency pointed out the success of the tourism sector in the country in consolidating its position on the global tourism map, after it achieved high growth rates and occupancy rates in tourism and hotel facilities, outperforming 10 major tourist destinations in the world, as a result of the efforts made by the government and all concerned authorities to overcome the challenges imposed by the “Covid” pandemic. -19”, and the effectiveness of government initiatives to stimulate tourism in the country, stressing the continuation of efforts to complete the growth process in international indicators for tourism and hotel services.

For his part, His Excellency Razvozov said: “These days mark the first anniversary of the Abrahamic Peace Agreement, and we affirm the great success that it has achieved during this short period in various fields, especially the tourism sector... Despite the restrictions and slowdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism exchange is still It witnessed great momentum, as about 250,000 Israeli tourists visited the UAE during this period, and cooperation in this field will achieve further growth in the coming period.” He affirmed his country's keenness to develop partnership with the UAE and strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest. Especially the tourism sector, which represents a major bridge for the development of economic relations between the two countries.