Drawing travellers to the Gulf has a pay-off – The National

Drawing travellers to the Gulf has a pay-off – The National

In the past couple of decades, countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have channeled resources to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on oil. I have always stressed the importance of tourism when it comes to the growth of countries in the region. The industry can evolve with the times and drive economic targets.

The world is now recovering from the fallout from Covid-19. According to a report published by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), tourism is one of the sectors that has suffered the worst of the pandemic, with an 84 per cent decline in international arrivals between March and December 2020. WTO estimates that economic losses in the industry could reach up to $4 trillion in 2021.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has a series of attractions designed especially for children. Reem Mohammed / The National