UAE and Indonesia Strengthen Tourism Ties for Mutual Growth

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, recently hosted a meeting with Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesian Minister of Tourism, at the Ministry of Economy office in Abu Dhabi. The dialogue focused on enhancing tourism cooperation and increasing mutual tourism flows between the two nations, underscoring their long-standing partnership.

During the meeting, Bin Touq emphasised the historical ties and deep strategic collaboration between the UAE and Indonesia, which span various economic and cultural fields. He commended the progress achieved in economic relations, attributing it to the shared vision of the two countries’ leaderships to advance bilateral initiatives.

“The tourism sector is considered one of the key sectors that foster economic relations between the two friendly countries,” said Bin Touq. “In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in this vital sector, with a total of over 174 flights connecting the two countries per month, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.”

He also highlighted the UAE’s ambitious plans for tourism development under the ‘UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.’ The strategy aims to position the UAE as a top global tourism destination while raising the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to AED 450 billion. Additionally, it seeks to attract AED 100 billion in new investments and 40 million hotel guests annually, aligning with the broader ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

The discussion explored avenues for deeper cooperation in tourism, aviation, and travel, with an emphasis on engaging the private sector from both countries. Particular attention was given to enhancing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Both ministers agreed on the importance of fostering dialogue between tourism companies and implementing training and recreational initiatives to further boost tourism flows.

Joint marketing campaigns emerged as another key focus, with plans to promote the unique tourist attractions of both countries. These campaigns aim to increase the volume of mutual tourism and strengthen the visibility of Indonesia and the UAE as premier travel destinations.

Bin Touq also extended an invitation to the Indonesian minister to attend the fourth edition of Investopia, scheduled for February 2025. The event will serve as a platform for international investors to explore the UAE’s dynamic investment landscape and expand partnerships across diverse economic sectors.