The UAE is starting to compete on a global scale in terms of infrastructure and quality of developments, and is setting trends for others to follow as the base of leisure and entertainment in the region.
That is the message from Ali Alsuwaidi, GV, Chief Operating Officer, Global Village Dubai, at the inaugural Destination X Infrastructure Summit, a hotel and lifestyle project conference which took place today at Sofitel Downtown Hotel, Dubai.
The UAE is leading the way with active investment into tourism and hospitality infrastructure with the goal of diversifying the economy and creating employment opportunities, and the rapidly evolving leisure and entertainment industry will become a key contributor to GDP in the Middle East region, offering major competition to the likes of Orlando and China in the next decade.
According to expert speakers at the Summit, the focus needs to shift towards creating global awareness of the quality and scale of the attractions and new concepts available in the growing UAE market, and the excellent infrastructure which makes the UAE comparable to other established leisure and entertainment destinations in the market.
The Destination X Infrastructure Summit is a one-day event bringing together government officials, major developers, leading financiers, C-level hotel executives, consultants, contractors and construction professionals to discuss the marketplace and projects which are boosting tourism and providing impetus to economic agendas across the region.
At the Summit, Raki Phillips, the CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority shed light on new projects and initiatives to further develop and expand the emirate’s adventure tourism portfolio. Phillips also shared the Destination Strategy 2019 – 2021, set to implement best practices as per international standards, fuelling sustainable, tourism-driven economic growth in Ras Al Khaimah.
Speaking ahead of his address at the event, Team Leisure’s Managing Director Phil Taylor said: “The UAE is in the vanguard of the region’s tourism and hospitality infrastructure investment.
“With tourism and hospitality projects it’s important to look at the big picture. The UAE has invested heavily in theme park-anchored projects, for example. Ferrari World will turn 10 next year and the park is still maturing.”
Taylor advised greater flexibility in strategies to cope with changing market trends. “All of the GCC countries can be expected to see their tourism and hospitality strategies further progress as the sector within each country grow over the next 10 years.
“There will no doubt be some outstanding successes we can look forward to during this time, among which it’s hoped we can count some of the new high-speed regional rail links that are proposed and city metro schemes, for example.”
Taylor is just one of the many industry experts who will be addressing the Destination X Infrastructure Summit, supported by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
The event is a prelude to the main event, hosted in Ras Al Khaimah in February 2020. This year’s build-up event will include special focus sessions on destination progress and potential in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Simon Mellor, CEO, Messe Frankfurt Middle East commented on regional trends shaping the tourism sector. “Investment in infrastructure such as hotels, transportation networks and leisure attractions with more flexible visa and entry requirements for visiting nations form the key pillars of most nations’ tourism strategy.”