The UAE Tourism Media Association held its first ordinary General Assembly meeting at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, bringing together its founding members to set the foundation for the country’s first public benefit entity dedicated to tourism media.
Declared by the Ministry of Community Development and licensed by the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD), the association aims to advance specialised tourism media in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2031.
The strategy seeks to position the UAE among the world’s top tourist destinations while supporting national promotional efforts.
The meeting, held under the supervision of DCD representative Omar Al Mansouri, approved the association’s bylaws, confirming Abu Dhabi as its headquarters and the UAE as its area of activity.
Board of Directors elected
Members elected an eight-member Board of Directors to serve a four-year term. The board includes three women representing media, academia, tourism, and marketing sectors.
Hussain Al Mannaei was elected Chairman, Ahmed Saleh Al Buraiki as Vice-Chairman, Nouf Saud Al Dousari as Secretary, and Shlaiwih Saeed Al Mazrouei as Treasurer. Other members are Mona Khalid Saeed Al Jenaibi (Social Media Committee), Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Al Azayzeh (Training and Conferences Committee), Salma Mubarak Thani Mubarak (Events Committee), and Mustafa Abdelazem (Media Committee).
Following the General Assembly, the newly elected Board met to set its operational roadmap and prepare to open membership to tourism media professionals and related entities across the UAE.
Focus on collaboration
Al Mannaei thanked the Department of Community Development for licensing the association, calling it “a testament to the vital role of specialised media in advancing the UAE’s economic and tourism goals.”
He said the association will build a professional communication network to connect tourism media professionals, enhance coordination, and produce content that highlights the UAE’s cultural, historical, and natural attractions through modern storytelling.
Vice-Chairman Al Buraiki said the association marks “a turning point for tourism media in the UAE,” reflecting the sector’s growing contribution to economic diversification and GDP growth.
The establishment of the association comes as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, recently announced the renaming of the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism — a move reaffirming the strategic importance of the tourism sector, which currently contributes more than 13 percent to the national GDP.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
