UAE and Indonesia Explore Enhanced Tourism Cooperation

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, met with Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesian Minister of Tourism, at the Ministry of Economy office to discuss ways to bolster tourism cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, focused on increasing mutual tourism flows, also aimed to encourage joint initiatives to further enhance bilateral ties.

Minister Bin Touq highlighted the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and Indonesia, emphasizing the strong economic collaboration across key sectors. “The tourism sector is a vital pillar in fostering economic relations between our two countries,” Bin Touq stated. He pointed to the significant progress in bilateral cooperation in recent years, underscored by over 174 flights per month connecting the UAE and Indonesia, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.

The Minister of Economy outlined the UAE’s ambitious tourism goals under the ‘UAE Tourism Strategy 2031,’ which aims to position the country as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. The strategy seeks to raise the tourism sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion, attract AED 100 billion in investments, and draw 40 million hotel guests, all in alignment with the broader ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

The discussions also focused on opportunities for the private sectors of both countries in tourism, aviation, and travel. Ministers agreed on the importance of fostering collaboration in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and enhancing dialogue between tourism companies. They explored potential new training programs and recreational initiatives to stimulate increased tourism flows.

Additionally, the two ministers discussed launching joint marketing campaigns to promote major tourist destinations in both nations, with the goal of attracting more visitors and enhancing bilateral tourism exchange.

In closing, Minister Bin Touq extended an invitation to Minister Wardhana to attend the fourth edition of Investopia, scheduled for February 2025. The event is expected to serve as an important platform for exploring investment opportunities and expanding economic partnerships between the UAE and global investors.