‏Hospitality Advisory Council Discusses Preparations for the UAE to Host the 127th Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council

‏Abu Dhabi, 18 August 2026: The Hospitality Advisory Council held a meeting in Al Zorah, Ajman, chaired by His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. The meeting was attended by public- and private-sector representatives, including chairpersons and directors of leading national and international hotel establishments operating in the UAE.

‏The meeting reviewed developments in the hospitality sector and its priorities for the next phase, foremost among them strengthening the competitiveness of this vital sector, raising the quality of hotel services, supporting growth in tourism demand, attracting investment, and developing tourism products and offers.

‏The Council discussed mechanisms for strengthening partnership and coordination between government entities and private-sector representatives during the next phase, supporting efforts to promote UAE tourism destinations locally and internationally, and developing visitor experiences. These efforts contribute to consolidating the UAE’s standing as a global tourism destination and enhancing the hospitality sector’s benefit from continued growth in tourism activity.

‏His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri affirmed that the UAE continues to develop its hospitality sector and enhance its attractiveness for domestic and foreign investment, as one of the vital sectors supporting national economic diversification. He noted the sector’s promising assets and potential, and the opportunities it provides for business growth and the development of tourism products and services that support the competitiveness of UAE tourism.

‏He stated: “The private sector is a key partner in developing the UAE’s hospitality sector ecosystem. Through the Council’s meetings, we are working to enhance dialogue and communication with this vital sector, identify opportunities for joint cooperation, and exchange expertise and views on developing tourism products and experiences. This contributes to strengthening the national tourism identity, elevating the UAE’s standing as a country with one of the world’s leading tourism identities, and consolidating its position as a leading tourism destination, in line with the objectives of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.”

‏The Council reviewed preparations for the UAE to host, for the first time, the 127th session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 November 2026. The session represents an important opportunity to highlight the UAE’s standing as a global tourism destination and introduce ministers, international tourism leaders and global media to the diversity of experiences and tourism destinations offered by the country.

‏Participants affirmed that hosting this session represents an important opportunity to showcase the UAE’s tourism leadership and its ability to sustain the growth and development of the national tourism sector. It will also provide an opportunity to present the country’s long-term vision for developing a sustainable and competitive tourism sector, strengthen the UAE’s presence in international tourism forums, and exchange expertise and best practices with leading global tourism leaders and experts.

‏The Council also discussed the UAE’s participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, including its activities, sessions and partnerships with entities and companies operating in the travel and tourism sector. This will contribute to presenting a unified national message on the competitiveness of the UAE tourism sector, promoting the diversity of destinations and tourism experiences across the country, and strengthening cooperation with international tourism markets and partners.

‏The meeting also examined the new regulatory framework for the commercial use of copyright-protected music, as an area of intellectual property rights, which is set to come into force on 1 December 2026. The framework includes annual licensing requirements for relevant establishments, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafés, shopping centres and sports clubs, among others, with fees varying according to the type, size and nature of each establishment’s use of music.