DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com Group CEO
Jane Sun highlighted the dynamic
role of tourism as a key economic driver at the inaugural
SuperBridge Summit Dubai. Her message emphasised the industry's
remarkable resilience and potential to drive substantial global
growth, particularly in the Middle
East. She also discussed the future of sustainable travel in
the post-pandemic era.
Ms Sun underscored the pivotal role of travel and tourism,
noting that the travel industry, prior to the pandemic, contributed
to 10% of all jobs worldwide, ushering in 1 in every 5 new job
opportunities.
In the Middle East, an area
brimming with opportunities, the UAE stands as the third-largest
economy. According to global research, tourism represented 9% of
the total GDP in 2022, with about USD 32
billion in international tourist spending. The sector also
accounted for 12% of the UAE's GDP, employing 363,000 people in
2019.
In addition to the economic vitality of tourism, Ms Sun explored
prevailing trends within the travel industry, notably the resurging
demand for domestic and global travel. With international travel
restrictions lifted, domestic and regional tourism has experienced
a remarkable upsurge. For instance, during China's Golden Week, outbound travel volume
surged by over 800% compared to the previous year, while domestic
tourism grew by nearly 200% this year.
The Middle East, in particular,
has emerged as a sought-after destination. According to Trip.com
Group data, hotel bookings from China to the Middle
East have surged by over 400% in 2023, alongside a 300%
increase in flight volumes. Additionally, bookings for attractions
and events in Dubai have seen an
astounding 450% surge in 2023.
Ms Sun also emphasised the growing importance of sustainable
travel, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. Travellers are
increasingly environmentally conscious, driving the industry to
adopt eco-friendly practices and products. In response, Trip.com
Group has actively engaged in various initiatives to reduce carbon
emissions and promote sustainable travel, including partnering with
CHOOOSE to offset CO2 emissions and joining the Science Based
Targets initiative (SBTi) to encourage low-carbon practices in the
tourism industry. She also lauded Dubai's The Sustainable City aims to achieve
net-zero energy by 2040 as a pioneering effort in creating
eco-conscious destinations for tourists.
Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com
Group, said, "Tourism stands as a key economic driver with
unparalleled potential, driving global prosperity and shaping a
brighter future. We are committed to harnessing this potential in
the Middle East, offering
high-spending tourists an unparalleled blend of luxury and
sustainability. Together, we will make the Middle East a prime destination for travellers
seeking exceptional experiences and eco-friendly adventures."
Additionally, Ms Sun highlighted Trip.com Group's commitment to
embracing technological innovation, particularly the Group's
AI-driven travel assistant, TripGenie. The tool is designed to
streamline the booking process, catering to travellers' needs and
enhancing their overall experience.
Trip.com Group is resolute in its mission to create a
sustainable, innovative, and enjoyable future for the travel
industry, leveraging tourism's economic vitality to propel global
growth.
About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading
global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip,
Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps
travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective
bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to
connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of
comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced
transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer
service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and
HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known
travel groups in the world, with the mission "to pursue the perfect
trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group
here.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,
and YouTube.
Photo
- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2248261/image_5004521_52711249.jpg
Logo
- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1026638/Trip_com_Group_Logo.jpg
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tripcom-group-highlights-tourisms-economic-vitality-and-middle-east-potential-301957804.html