UAE tourism urged to ‘reinvent itself’ as war hits visitor numbers

UAE tourism needs to “reinvent itself” to recover from the impact of regional war, officials and hospitality players told a special meeting convened to address the industry in crisis.

From the dazzling Dubai Gold Souk and Burj Khalifa skyscraper to Abu Dhabi’s cluster of brand new museums, the normally bustling sites that are the engine of the country’s tourism economy have fallen quiet since the start of the war.

At a newly formed Tourism Majlis, organized by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, leaders gathered to confront a sharp drop in visitors following the Iran crisis and share ideas to shape a coordinated recovery plan.

Chaired by Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the discussion stressed that recovery would require a clear, unified strategy rather than quick fixes, with a focus on collaboration across all seven emirates.