Emirates starts implementing plans to help the tourism sector

The coronavirus has generated economic losses in many sectors: industry, oil... but, without a doubt, one of the most punished has been tourism. Due to the current pandemic, which affects practically all countries, there have been border closures, indefinite flight suspensions, restrictions on population movements, etc. Although these measures are essential to contain the virus and minimise its spread, they have a very negative effect on the tourism sector. That is why in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah they have already begun to take measures to support this sector.

The tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has grown considerably in recent years, especially in cities such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, two of the most international emirates. In fact, last year 2019, the city of Dubai registered a record with the visit of more than 16 million tourists. 

In recent times, the Emirates have been on the list of recommended destinations for travellers. Publications such as Lonely Planet or reports on recommended tourist destinations have echoed the leisure and cultural offerings of the UAE, a country with less than a century of history, but with a wide range of options to enjoy.

Although the most international and well known emirates are Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the emirate of Ras al-Khainmah has been stepping up in recent years and this is no wonder. It borders Oman and enjoys a privileged environment, close to the Strait of Oman, with options of beach and mountain. 

More and more tourists come to this place interested in discovering it, in fact, in 2019 was designated Capital of Tourism in the Gulf and managed to increase the number of tourists by 4%, reaching over one million visitors. Now, after the onslaught of the COVID-19, the sector has suffered significantly and the Government of that emirate has launched an action plan to minimize losses and prevent the industry from collapsing. 

Among the main measures they have communicated through the WAM News Agency are the suspension of payments for all tourist licenses in the emirate (for a period of 6 months) or a moratorium on renting for both local corporations and residents; among other measures. 

The aim is to ensure that the sector is not stifled right now and that it can continue to improve little by little. In addition to these fiscal relief measures, the Government of the emirate has created a Stimulus Committee that will study new strategies in the short and mid-term. Also, as reported by WAM, a financial incentive package for non-governmental tourism entities is to be introduced. This plan confirms the participation of all such companies, both private and State-owned, in tourism exhibitions abroad, as well as at the national level in 2020 and 2021. 

The aim is to alleviate the tax burden on the one hand (hotels, agencies and other tourist establishments) and to help in the development and continuity of the sector's businesses on the other. What seemed to be a promising 2020 in tourism with the imminent holding of Expo Dubai 2020, has become a period of uncertainty for which significant losses are predicted at the international level. This, together with the foreseeable restrictions on movement that will prevail for some time, together with the extension of the social distancing measures recommended by the WHO, predicts a difficult tourism scenario.