Al Ain has been officially selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2026, marking a major milestone for the United Arab Emirates and reinforcing the city’s rising status as a leading cultural and heritage destination in the region. The announcement was made during the 28th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, hosted in Baghdad, with the decision based on a recommendation from the Council’s Executive Office.
The UAE delegation to the meeting was led by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, representing Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. The choice of Al Ain follows the city’s recent recognition as Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, underscoring its natural landscapes, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
Commenting on the achievement, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said the designation “represents a new achievement for the UAE and reflects the qualitative development it has achieved,” highlighting tourism as a long-term investment aligned with the country’s leadership vision.
He added that the recognition supports the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to attract 40 million hotel guests annually and raise tourism’s contribution to GDP to AED 450 billion.
Saleh Mohamed Al Jaziri, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the title reflects Al Ain’s “rich heritage, inspiring cultural sites, and exceptional natural landmarks,” noting that it will accelerate efforts to build an integrated and sustainable tourism ecosystem in the region under the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.
The announcement comes amid strong momentum for the UAE tourism sector. In 2024, tourism contributed AED 257.3 billion to the national economy, representing 13% of GDP. Recent achievements also include the election of Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of the UN Tourism Organization for 2026–2029 and Masfout Village’s recognition as the world’s Best Tourist Village for 2025.
As Arab countries intensify cooperation on sustainable, smart, and inclusive tourism, Al Ain’s selection positions the UAE at the forefront of shaping the future of regional tourism.
