Sharjah Convenes Global Tourism Leaders to Shape the Future of Travel and Discovery

The 13th Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum brings together international experts and decision-makers to explore resilience, innovation and education within a transformed global tourism landscape.

The opening of the 13th Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum on Wednesday morning at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre marked the beginning of an incisive examination of tourism’s evolving future. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and inaugurated by Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, the forum convened a constellation of officials, specialists and international delegates to contemplate the sector’s most pressing trajectories.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, opened proceedings with reflections on the forum’s enduring purpose: to foster dialogue and exchange expertise among tourism professionals navigating a landscape of profound global transformation. The UAE’s tourism ecosystem has matured considerably, he noted, shaped by rigorous alignment with international best practice and bolstered by the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which envisions tourism contributing AED 450 billion to GDP, attracting AED 100 billion in tourism investment and welcoming 40 million hotel guests across the coming four years.

The minister’s address illuminated the sector’s robust trajectory. In 2025, travel and tourism contributed AED 251.3 billion to the UAE economy, representing a three percent increase on 2024 and a 22.2 percent rise from 2019. The nation ranked eighth globally in international tourist expenditure that year at AED 208.8 billion, itself up 2.9 percent year on year and 24.5 percent on the pre-pandemic baseline. Hotel capacity across the emirates now extends to 216,864 rooms within 1,257 establishments, with revenue climbing from AED 44.88 billion in 2024 to AED 49.21 billion in 2025—a nearly ten percent ascent that speaks to the growing sophistication of visitor spending. Occupancy rates, meanwhile, rose from 78 percent to 80 percent across the same period.

Sharjah emerges as a destination of distinctive character within this flourishing narrative. Under the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate has cultivated a tourism offering that draws authenticity from its cultural and historical heritage and natural assets, presenting visitors with experiences ranging from museum explorations and heritage sites to the diverse attractions that define its character.

The forum’s three strategic pillars—industry resilience, education and innovation—speak to a sector determined to transcend mere recovery. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, positioned the forum as essential infrastructure for collective vision-building at a moment when global tourism landscapes undergo profound reshaping. These three elements, he emphasised, will strengthen industry capability, readiness and sustainability, culminating in enhanced visitor experience and increasingly competitive destinations.

Recognition of tourism’s human dimension animated the opening ceremony. Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, delivered a recorded keynote address celebrating how travel connects people with places and horizons, whilst the forum’s thematic pillars extend beyond commercial metrics to encompass destination protection, community empowerment and the preservation of place character.

The forum’s opening ceremony also recognised exceptional achievements within the sector. Mleiha National Park received the Sharjah Sustainability prize for tourist destinations in Category 1, with the House of Wisdom and Buhais Geological Park claiming the same accolade in Category 2. Chedi Al Bait secured the Sharjah Sustainability prize for hospitality in Category 1, whilst the Coral Beach Resort Sharjah took Category 2 honours. The Rihla team emerged victorious in the youth projects category of the Sharjah Tourism Innovation Hackathon.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah subsequently toured the accompanying exhibition, engaging with pavilions displaying the diverse offerings of tourism and travel organisations both within the UAE and internationally, observing the innovative projects that advance the sector’s evolution. The opening attracted a distinguished assembly of Sharjah’s leadership, including Sheikh Khalid bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation; Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development; and Halima Humaid Al Owais, Chairperson of the Consultative Council of the Emirate of Sharjah, alongside government officials, sector experts and international representatives.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This gathering underscores the UAE’s unified approach to tourism development, one in which each emirate strengthens the collective narrative. The National Tourism Strategy 2031’s ambitious targets and the recent launch of federal platforms such as Visit UAE and the UAE Grand Tour demonstrate how coordinated vision translates into measurable growth. Sharjah’s prominence within this ecosystem—its heritage, cultural institutions and natural landscapes—enriches the broader Emirati tourism proposition, inviting visitors to experience the full spectrum of what the nation offers.

For Abu Dhabi, the forum’s emphasis on resilience, education and innovation carries direct resonance. As one of the nation’s primary tourism destinations, Abu Dhabi participates in this collective advancement, benefiting from shared knowledge and strategic initiatives that elevate visitor experience across all seven emirates. The growing sophistication of tourism spending and the rising occupancy rates across the nation signal a sector increasingly capable of delivering value through quality and diversity rather than volume alone, a philosophy that enhances the appeal and sustainability of all Emirati destinations.

Source: WAM