UAE Backs BRICS Tourism Collaboration to Boost Investment and Travel Ease
The UAE has affirmed its support for enhanced tourism cooperation among BRICS nations, adopting the Jaipur Declaration at a ministerial meeting in India to foster economic growth and cultural exchange.
The UAE has officially endorsed initiatives to strengthen tourism collaboration among BRICS member countries, following a ministerial meeting in Jaipur, India. A delegation from the UAE, led by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, participated in the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, where members adopted the Jaipur Declaration on tourism cooperation.
The declaration outlines a focus on four key areas designed to advance the tourism sector:
- Utilising artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism
- Promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices
- Developing essential skills within the tourism industry
- Streamlining travel processes between member states to enhance ease of access.
Beyond that, the UAE expressed its backing for the proposed BRICS Tourism Solutions Exchange Platform. This platform is envisioned as a mechanism for member states to share valuable insights, technological solutions, training opportunities, and successful tourism initiatives, fostering a collaborative environment for growth and innovation.
Minister Al Marri emphasised the significant role tourism plays in attracting investment, stimulating economic growth, and creating employment opportunities. He also highlighted its importance in reinforcing connections between diverse nations and communities. The declaration also calls for increased collaboration in applying responsible and human-centred AI across various facets of tourism, including destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication, and travel facilitation.
Beyond these core areas, the declaration also addresses the critical aspects of tourism investment and infrastructure development, the safeguarding of natural and cultural heritage, further skills development, and the increased sharing of tourism data and best practices among BRICS members. On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Al Marri engaged in bilateral discussions with India's Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Brazil's Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Costa Feliciando, to explore opportunities for increasing tourism flows and developing new joint initiatives.
Questions, answered
- What is the primary goal of the Jaipur Declaration on tourism cooperation?
- The Jaipur Declaration aims to strengthen tourism collaboration among BRICS countries by focusing on artificial intelligence, sustainable tourism, skills development, and making travel easier between member nations.
- Which UAE official led the delegation at the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting?
- Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE's Minister of Economy and Tourism, chaired the UAE delegation at the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.
- What is the purpose of the proposed BRICS Tourism Solutions Exchange Platform?
- The BRICS Tourism Solutions Exchange Platform is designed to enable member states to share expertise, technology solutions, training opportunities, and successful tourism initiatives to collectively advance their tourism sectors.
- How does the declaration address the use of AI in tourism?
- The declaration calls for greater cooperation on the responsible and human-centred use of AI in areas such as destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication, and travel facilitation.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.