UAE tourism industry needs innovative solutions in the post-COVID-19 era
- 16 Nov 2020
Sajjad Ahmad, Gulf Today
The tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates is growing despite the challenges caused by coronavirus pandemic, thanks to the country’s fast response in combating COVID-19 by announcing various financial packages to support the economy. In the post-COVID-19 era new ideas and innovative lifestyle solutions will play a key role to accelerate tourism recovery, and job market, experts revealed during Sharjah Hospitality Forum 2020 on Monday.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, the forum discussed the best and fastest recovery path for the emirate’s tourism sector with the participants proposing innovative solutions to support the stakeholders of the tourism, hospitality and travel industries and sustain their gradual return to growth and normalcy.
The forum highlighted the emerging tourism, hospitality and travel challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic era and showcased the most successful tourism projects and the latest innovations that are driving tourism recovery.
The seventh edition of SHF, held virtually for the first time due to COVID-19, was organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).
High-profile speakers from the government and private sectors, experts, decision-makers, tourism and economic stakeholders, and representatives of local authorities and international organisations took part in the forum. The attendees included Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Director General, Department of eGovernment, Government of Sharjah; Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; honor guest and speaker Abdulla Al Saleh Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade & Industry, and Natalia Bayona, Director of the Innovation, Digital Transformation and Investments Department, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); and Tiffany Misrahi, Vice President of Policy, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Other speakers included international experts and executives such as Basmah Al-Mayman, Middle East Regional Director, UNWTO; Shalini Rajan, Head of Sales and Cargo, Air Arabia; Kashif Khalid, Regional Director – Africa & Middle East, International Air Transport Association (IATA); Fadel Ozmen, General Manager, Antics Tours Tourism; Hafeez Azzim, Regional Manager - Commercial Operations in the GCC, Middle East & Central Asia, Emirates; Shafiq Alaeddin, General Manager of Sharjah Group, Misk; Ahmed Obaid Al Tunaiji, Manager – Tourism Standards Department, SCTDA; and Majed Al Suwaidi, Director of the Manager of Overseas Promotions Department, SCTDA.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al-Qassimi said: “Tourism is among the hardest-hit sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis that has deeply challenged all segments of society, especially the healthcare, social, and economic sectors. However, despite its negative impact, the pandemic has spurred the growth of digital transformation. In this respect, the UAE has demonstrated its readiness and ability to ensure business continuity in vital sectors, including travel, tourism, and hospitality, capitalising on the country’s advanced technological infrastructure. In line with the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, we remain committed to provide top-notch technical services to all Sharjah’s governmental entities, using world-class platforms, while ensuring compliance with the highest standards of cybersecurity and personal privacy. We are confident that the ongoing global crisis will eventually come to an end, and the tourism sector will restore its vibrancy and growth, supported by integrated digital solutions designed to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for tourists and visitors alike.”
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa said, “Sharjah Hospitality Forum is being held at a time when there is a growing need for mobilising and fostering national and international efforts to launch effective initiatives that would expedite the recovery of the tourism and hospitality sectors. These sectors are among the pillars of sustainable global economic development. We see major tourism opportunities, but we need to adopt new mechanisms and innovative methods not only to seize available opportunities but also to efficiently address emerging challenges and sustain the industry’s attractiveness and competitiveness.”
He added: “ We are fully ready to implement successful solutions and creative projects to ensure tourism’s steady and fast recovery, with emphasis on several factors such as air traffic, travel regulations and visa procedures, country entry and exit traffic, and applicable safety protocols, among others.”