(TAN): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resolved to introduce a multiple-entry tourist visa scheme valid for five years for all nationalities, in a bid to improve the tourism sector of the country, reports said.
While the UAE tourist visas were earlier valid for only 30 to 90 days, visitors of any nationality will now be able to obtain a five-year visa under the new system, as per reports.
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According to reports, the move is expected to draw visitors to the Gulf nation from across the world at a time when the country is gearing up for the next 50 years of development.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced the news.
“Today we change the system of issuing tourist visas in the country, to make the duration of the tourist visa for five-years, multiple uses, for all nationalities. We receive more than 21 million tourists annually and our aim is to establish the country as a major global tourist destination,” he was quoted by India Today as saying.
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UAE reportedly received about 21 million tourists in 2019, with 15 million of them visiting during the first half of the year. In 2018, the tourism sector accounted for 11.1% of the country’s total economy, contributing AED 164.7 billion (USD 44.84 billion approximately) to its Gross Domestic Product, according to data from the World Travel & Tourism Council – touted to be quite an achievement in “UAE Vision 2021”. As per reports, forecasts for 2027 are aimed at AED 234 billion.
The approval came before Expo 2020, a big-budget trade fair, that is scheduled to be held in Dubai in October, reports said. The location of Expo 2020 will reportedly be a 438-hectare area between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
