Al Ain Capital of Arab Tourism 2026 designation celebrates the city’s unique blend of heritage, natural landmarks and innovative tourism offerings, as announced at the 28th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in Baghdad. The UAE delegation, led by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, received the accolade, marking another milestone for the nation’s growing global tourism profile.
National pride and strategic vision
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, described the win as a “significant milestone” that reflects the UAE leadership’s strategic vision and bolsters the country’s position on the world tourism map. It aligns directly with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets 40 million annual hotel guests and a Dh450 billion GDP contribution from the sector by that year.
The honour builds on Al Ain’s recent title as Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025, highlighting sustained momentum in the emirate’s tourism development.
Al Ain’s heritage and attractions
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, emphasised that the recognition honours Al Ain’s authentic cultural sites, inspiring landscapes and world-class natural features like Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain Oasis and Qasr Al Muwaiji. These draw visitors globally and support efforts to create an integrated tourism ecosystem through deeper partnerships and enriched visitor experiences.
The city’s garden-city charm and preserved heritage make it a standout destination, blending tradition with modern innovation to appeal to both residents and international travellers.
UAE tourism’s rising momentum
The UAE’s tourism sector contributed Dh257.3 billion to GDP in 2024, representing 13 per cent of the national economy and demonstrating robust growth. Recent achievements include Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais’s election as UN Tourism Secretary-General for 2026–2029 and Masfout village in Ajman being named the world’s Best Tourism Village for 2025.
The Baghdad session also advanced regional cooperation on medical tourism, joint product development and industry capacity building to elevate standards across Arab nations.
Gulf Repost spotlights UAE tourism triumphs, city designations and sectoral growth, connecting regional awards to national strategies and global appeal. From Al Ain’s heritage landmarks to 2031 targets and UN Tourism leadership, Gulf Repost helps readers and industry professionals track how the Emirates is reshaping Arab and world tourism.
