UAE is mulling the roll out of up to 14-day tourism itineraries as part of the “UAE Grand Tours” project, allowing tourists to explore all the seven emirates.

Discussions also addressed setting up a digital platform of tourism packages for the “UAE Grand Tours” project to promote the sector within and outside the country, in a recent meeting in Abu Dhabi under Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council.

This project will be implemented in coordination with local tourism authorities and tour operators, highlighting the UAE's tourism diversity and increasing the length of stay of visitors in the country to explore all its destinations and landmarks.

The itineraries will be designed to include family, cultural, and environmental tourism, in addition to adventure tourism.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are also working on a GCC Grand Tours Visa project which will allow foreign tourists to explore all the regional countries on a single visa – similar to a Schengen visa.

However, it is not clear whether the UAE will link the 14-day tourism itineraries with a new visa dedicated to these tourists under the “UAE Grand Tours” project.

Under the project, there will be year-round promotion, particularly in international tourism markets.

“We, at the Emirates Tourism Council, work in cooperation with our partners in the public and private sectors, and we are keen to develop the national tourism system through strategic initiatives and innovative projects,” said Al Marri.

Al Marri said the UAE has prioritised this sector in sustainable development plans and adopted advanced policies and strategies.

The UAE’s tourism sector performed well in 2024 as hotel revenues grew 3 per cent and occupancy hit 78 per cent, placing it among the highest regionally and globally. Hotel guests grew 9.5 per cent year-on-year in 2024 with the entry of 16 new hotels into service.