Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE minister of foreign trade, on Monday, delivered a keynote address highlighting the UAE's economic success and also discussed its tourism potential at a global conference in Dubai.

Addressing more than 150 delegates from 60 countries representing GlobalStar, a unique group of prominent international travel management companies, Sheikha Lubna said the travel and tourism sector had become a major growth area of the UAE and an important component of its economic diversification efforts.

"Our country has become a preferred leisure and business destination because of the unique mix of modernity and rich Arab heritage that we offer travellers," she told the gathering of foreign travel professionals. 

The GlobalStar discussed regional and international opportunities in travel and tourism in anticipation of the industry’s expected 4 per cent annual growth rate over the next decade.

"The UAE Government through the support of the Ministry of Foreign Trade will continue to fully back initiatives that will nurture this crucial industry,” she said.

Highlighting the UAE's strengths as a preferred travel destination,  Sheikha Lubna noted that the country has been ranked as the leading Arab tourism destination and is among the top 20 in the world out of 124 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum's first annual Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.

Sheikha Lubna also highlighted the Dh257 billion ($70 billion) in investments being poured in hotel and related tourism and leisure facilities projects scattered all over the UAE.

The newly-formed ministry of foreign trade headed by Sheikha Lubna aims to further enhance the UAE’s already strong regional and international commercial relations, particularly in growth industries such as travel and tourism.

The trade is expected to generate Dh286.2 billion in revenues and contribute 6.4 per cent directly to the national GDP in 2008 and expand to Dh498.8 billion by 2018.

With six world-class international airports, 15 marine ports and entry points on the Saudi Arabian and Omani borders, the UAE will continue to be an easily accessible and enjoyable destination for the global traveller.

“The UAE's phenomenal growth serves as an excellent model for international organisations who aim to achieve the same levels of success. Our country shows how inspiring leadership, forward-thinking policies, a commitment to excellence and a unified vision can lead to significant and sustained prosperity,” Sheikha Lubna added.

GlobalStar Travel Management is a partnership of the world’s leading independent travel management firms and a key player in the thriving global travel and tourism industry.

GlobalStar is organised into the four main regions of North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia/Pacific, each supervised and managed by a highly experienced and competent board of directors.

The EMEA Region is hosting this year’s 6th GlobalStar Annual Conference.-TradeArabia News Service