GLS325 Presentations Review

How does the GDP and economic health of Lebanon affect tourism?

Unstable economy discourages international visitors, local businesses could not survive widespread of poverty due to 2019 financial crisis, Beirut Port explosion of 2020 made it worse with decline in investor confidence and tourism

How does the infrastructure and accessibility of Lebanon affect tourism?

Beirut Airport has issues with infrastructure, maintenance, road conditions, and unreliable public transportation and lack of high-quality hotels and tour services has led to businesses closing or operating at reduced capacity

How does the currency instability of Lebanon affect tourism?

Lebanese pound devaluation has made country more affordable for foreign tourists but reduced purchasing power of local population (less domestic travel) and inflation lowers consumer confidence for local and international tourists (price unpredictability makes it hard to forecast travel expenses)

How does job security of Lebanon affect tourism?

Higher rate of unemployment in Lebanon especially in sectors that rely heavily on tourism; decreased job security and lower wages affects quality of services, impacting tourists’ experiences

How do historical and recent political events in Lebanon affect tourism?

Civil War (1975-1990), 2006 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict (halted tourism because of constant bombing, and protests of 2019-2020 (protests against govt corruption led to fights)

How do safety concerns in Lebanon affect tourism?

Travel Advisories (countries issue these to warn citizens against visiting Lebanon), Security Concerns (tourists think major sites are not safe due to random violence), and tourists opt to visit neighboring destinations instead of Lebanon

What different medias affect tourism in Lebanon? How so?

Internation Media Coverage (tends to highlight stories about protests and violence, major events reinforce dangerous image, not many positive stories); travel blogs (social media influencers shape perceptions of destinations and beauty can counterbalance negative media); crisis communication (local orgs use media strategies to counteract negative perceptions during crises, so they cannot fully control narrative)

In conclusion, how do these factors affect tourism in Lebanon?

Country is affordable but unpredictable; tourists don’t feel safe and media reinforces these perceptions; if there is ever political stability, Lebanon has potential for tourism growth

How is tourism vital to Switzerland’s economy?

International tourism receipts in 2022 is $19.2 billion (2.4% of GDP) and provides jobs for over 4% of workforce

What are successes of sustainable tourism in Switzerland?

Swisstainable sustainability program (businesses meet criteria for 3 categories of sustainability and provides orientation for tourists, encourages businesses to participate) and community-driven tourism (tourists who value natural beauty are more committed to preservation and local initiatives can help educate and inspire)

What are challenges of sustainable tourism in Switzerland?

Climate change (glacial retreat and shortened ski seasons), high costs of sustainable infrastructure, enforcement challenges

What are the next steps for sustainable tourism in Switzerland?

Prioritizing sustainable tourism is essential for future of industry in Switzerland, large investments in infrastructure (sustainable fuels) will allow for long term success

What makes tourists go to Finland (pull factors)?

Seasonality, great reputation (happiest and safest country in the world), and tourism accessibility

What may push people away from Finland (push factors)?

Cold winters and proximity to Russia

What are the local’s perspectives of tourism in Finland and the effects on Finland?

Overall Positives: more employment, better infrastructure, more income for host country

Overall Negatives: increased cost of living, crime, and pollution

What are tourism’s most significant environmental impacts in the UK?

Positive Consequences: turning old industrial sites and canals into tourist attractions, preserving historical sites using income from tickets, parking, gift shops, etc., and greater appreciation for nature’s beauty

Negative Consequences: Air pollution through international flights and domestic travel by car, waste generated at popular tourist destinations, and soil erosion on hiking trails and damaging fragile ecosystems

How much waste has the UK generated in 2019?

Approximately 23.9 million tons of waste from tourism activities

What is the Environmental Improvement Plan for the UK?

UK’s plan to address climate change, restore nature, and reduce overall environmental harm; policies will mitigate effects that tourism has on environment such as Deposit Return Scheme for Plastic and Metal Drink Containers

What is Machu Picchu?

15th-century Incan citadel located in Andes Mountains of Peru; most visited tourist destination in South America; significant contributor to Peru’s tourism sector (3.9% of GDP); increase in tourism since 2020

What are challenges of tourism that affect sustainability of Machu Picchu?

Visitor traffic (influx of visitors stresses environment, Incan trails, and architecture) and conservation (balancing economic benefits of tourism while maintaining environment)

What are problems of tourism that affect sustainability of Machu Picchu?

Environmental degradation (effects ruins and Inca Trail contributing to soil erosion, mudslides, and vegetation loss), plastic pollution (tourists have vandalized ruins, polluted area with garbage, and explored areas beyond guided boundaries), other forms of pollution (transportation fumes contribute to greenhouse gases), and loss of species (human activity leads to reduction and loss of plants and animals)

What are the current measures being taken to improve sustainability in Machu Picchu?

Entry tickets, mandatory guide, routes (tourists may not leave designated areas), and banned items (to prohibit plastic and other items)

What are suggestions to consider for improving sustainability in Machu Picchu?

Educating tourists to gain a deeper appreciation of the site, increasing the price while reducing quantity to maintain financial stability and reduces burden on environment, and local businesses can generate models that rely on sustainability

What is an overview of Mexico’s tourism?

Ranked 7th in world for most popular destination in 2019, contributes 8.5% to Mexico’s GDP, and creates more than 4.5 million jobs

What are the positive effects of tourism in Mexico’s environment?

Funding conservation efforts, promotes eco-friendly infrastructure, and economic benefits to local communities

What are the negative effects of tourism in Mexico’s environment?

Environmental damage, overcrowding, and depletion of resources

What are solutions for sustainable tourism in Mexico?

Environmental regulations, responsible tourism practices, and education and awareness campaigns

What is background information about Qatar?

Middle eastern nation highly dependent on oil and gas for the health of their economy; 2022 FIFA World Cup was seen as pivotal moment that could diversify economic resources

What are the economic impacts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

$200 billion spent on infrastructure; oil and gas still dominate GDP, but growth observed in tourism and hospitality; oil and gas still dominated GDP before and during event; tourism and hospitality sectors saw increased contributions to the company

What were the tourism trends around the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

Before World Cup (2019-2021): gradual increase in visitors, limited global recognition; pandemic impact caused significant declines in 2020-2021

During World Cup (2022): over 1.4 million tourists during event; surge in hotel bookings and airline traffic

Post-World Cup (2023): continued higher-than-average visitation especially from regional travelers

Did the 2022 FIFA World Cup make progress toward economic diversification in Qatar

Yes, especially in tourism; infrastructure improvements support long-term goals but require consistent utilization; for diversification to succeed, Qatar must sustain tourism momentum and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons

How was the Colombian government started the process of transitioning their tourism industry to implement more sustainable practices?

Have joined Future of Tourism Coalition whose main goal is to consider environmentally conscious practices across world; have joined Global Sustainable Tourism Council, a group that builds strategy and policy through use of guidelines in different facets of tourism industry to meet sustainable standards

What are some of the laws and policies implemented in Colombia to help sustainable tourism?

Green Taxonomy, Climate Action Laws, Sustainable Tourism Policy, Net Zero Carbon Deforestation Commitment, and Orange Economy Policy

What are the local impacts sustainability has had on Colombia?

Country has designated 27 locations as sustainably practical for its environment and community; promotion of eco-tourism has led to surge in people coming to Colombia to experience reserves they have; community-based tourism has opened new opportunities for Colombians to share culture to tourists and spark new job creation and investment into their micro economies

What is tourism like in Saudi Arabia?

Over 4% of GDP and 7% of non-oil GDP; plays crucial role in diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy; over 100 million visitors since 2021 which is growing constantly

What are the international partnerships and investments contributing to tourism in Saudi Arabia?

Vision 2023: partnerships drive projects like NEOM to boost tourism; tourism public-private partnerships: private firms co-develop mega-projects; aviation: investments in Saudia and Riyadh Air grow connectivity; luxury hotels: global chains invited to Saudi to enhance hospitality; high speed rail: built for cheaper transportation between cities; mega events: Formula 1 and other festivals attract visitors; cultural sites maintained and promoted: UNESCO sites showcase heritage

Why is Saudi Arabia becoming a famous destination?

Due to their location, good transportation, close to big populations, different landscapes, and cultural heritage

How is Saudi Arabia sustainably expanding tourism?

Vision 2030: diversifying economy with focus on sustainable tourism; cultural heritage: preserving sites like Al-Ula and Diriyah and uncovering old ones; eco-tourism: nature reserves and desert tourism with minimal impact; sustainable transportation methods: electric vehicles and green airports; tourism regulations: eco-certifications and responsible tourism rules

What are the challenges of implementing partnerships and investments in Saudi Arabia?

Cultural sensitivity: balancing tourism with traditional values; infrastructure: expanding and modernizing facilities; global perception: addressing human rights concerns; competition; standing out among established destinations; skilled workforce: training for high tourism standards; climate: managing extreme heat and water scarcity; policy reforms: simplifying visas and regulations

How does Greece’s tourism marketing benefit them compared to other European countries?

Their use of social media helps Greece stand out more as well as their online presence compared to other European countries. Their most used form of social media is Instagram that helps them connect more with tourists across the globe as opposed to just in their country or continent.

What drives tourism in the Netherlands?

They attract about 20 million visitors each year; iconic sights are canals of Amsterdam, tulip fields and windmills, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House; famous for its liberal policies including lenient drug laws and progressive social attitudes

What is the historical and geographical relevance of the North Sea to the Netherlands?

Country has relied on North Sea since colonial times; limited geography of Netherlands has forced country to depend on North Sea for economic activity; North Sea facilities industries like trade, energy, and tourism, maintaining status of Netherlands as hub for global trade

What is the North Sea’s role in modern tourism for the Netherlands?

Economic Contributions: estimated to add around €11 billion in annual economic activity to Dutch portion of North Sea as of 2021
Cruise Tourism: Amsterdam receives about 300,000 cruise passengers annually, indicating how relevant North Sea is to attracting tourist to Netherlands
Tourism Infrastructures: North Sea ports have been developed to cater to large cruise ships; economic and cultural achievement that follows includes international tourist exchange

What is the role of major ports and cruise ship tourism in the Netherlands?

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, total cargo throughput in port of Rotterdam in 2023 amounted to 438.8 million tons; Amsterdam is important center for cruise tourism, both cities are international cruise departure and arrival points; the Ports provide source of employment for Dutch and stimulate tourism-related businesses and contributes to improving international trade links

What are challenges facing the Netherlands currently?

Climate change and rising sea levels, overtourism, and sustainability effort

How does Norway maintain sustainable tourism, given that its natural climate and landscape attractions are its main tourist attractions?

Sustainable destination certification, reducing carbon footprint, water treatment systems

What is the Sustainable Destination Certification concerning Norway?

Must show clear progress towards sustainability; takes 2 years to obtain; Roros, Geilo, and Tromso are certified; Oslo and Geirangerfjord are in the process

How is Norway reducing tourism’s carbon footprint?

Turning to electric and hybrid vehicles; emission regulations for ships passing through fjords (Zero-emission for 2026 - electric engines, hydrogen fuel cells, wind-assisted propulsion); encouraging locally sourced foods for cruises

What will happen in regard to sustainability of water treatment systems in Norway?

Norwegian Cruise Line shops equipped with Advanced Wastewater Purification: tested quarterly by 3rd party, environmental officers test weakly; New Fuglevik Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oslo Fjord

What does the role of social media have on tourism in Thailand?

Popularity of social media and digital platforms which influences popularity of vacation destinations; social media impacts are marketing, user-generated reviews, generating more interest in certain locations; travel influencers have huge impact on promoting lesser-known areas around the world

What influence does social media have on tourist expectations in Thailand?

Digital platforms provide easy access to highly curate images of Thailand which raises tourists’ expectations; with rising use of social media, there is increase in demand for picture-worthy locations; content of travel influencers usually highlights specific locations and attractions that become a “must do” activity

What are positive aspects of social media’s impact on Thailand’s tourism?

Accessibility to hidden gems, detailed itineraries online, real-time visitor feedback and reviews; ex: campaign for Songkran Festival in 2023

What are negative aspects of social media’s impact on Thailand’s tourism?

Overcrowding, environmental strains, misrepresentation of Thailand; ex: overcrowding issue in Maya Bay due to Instagram fame and exposure through film “The Beach”

What is the origin of Hallyu in South Korea?

Refers to global popularity of South Korea’s cultural economy exporting pop culture, TV dramas, entertainment; world’s leader exporter of pop culture; Hallyu first spread to China and Japan to worldwide; 2004 contributed USD 1.87 billion to Korea’s GDP and 2019 contributed USD 12.3 billion

What role do K-Dramas have in South Korea’s rise of international tourism?

Early 2000s popularity of K-dramas spread across Southeast countries; buzz around Korean culture; international visitors wanting to visit filming locations from their favorite shows; same time Korean Government lifted travel ban on foreign travel for Koreans (new perspectives/interpretations to art & cinema)

What role does K-Pop have in South Korea’s rise of international tourism?

They are Korean celebrities looked up to from millions of fans across the world; ex: BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids; attract fans to attend concerts and events

What role does Korean fashion have in South Korea’s rise of international tourism?

Fashion influenced by K-pop artists and K-dramas; Korea has become trendsetter in Asian fashion scene; Seoul is becoming major global fashion capital attracting tourists to the shopping scene

What impact has tourism had on South Korea?

2019 - Korea earned USD 21.5 billion from tourism; govt plans to bring it to 35 billion by 2030

What does Singapore ranking #7 globally and #1 in the Asia-Pacific in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) demonstrate?

Shows their success in taking sustainability initiatives for tourism and environmental management; recognized as a leader in balancing tourism growth with sustainability efforts; GDS-Index evaluates destinations on criteria like environmental initiatives, social responsibility, and destination management

What are ways that Singapore maintains sustainability?

Freezing the growth of vehicle population, closed water loop, tax on emission of Carbon, and transition to natural gas

What is dark tourism and what is it's purpose in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Definition: visiting sites that have history associated with death or tragedy

Purpose: learning from atrocities, pay respects, and understanding historical context and perspective

What is an overview of the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995?

Conflict stemmed from breakup of Yugoslavia and ethnic tensions among Bosnyaks (Muslims), Croats, and Serbs; April 6-7: Siege of Sarajevo begins, one of longest sieges in modern history of 1425 days; Spring-Summer 1992: ethnic cleansing by Bosnian Serb forces, concentration camps like Omarska are established; November 9: Stari Most in Mostar is destroyed by Bosnian Croat forces; Spring-Summer 1994: NATO launches airstrikes against Bosnian Serb forces; July 11-22 1995: Srebrenica Massacre occurs (later ruled as genocide); December 14 1995: Dayton Peace Accords formally signed in Paris, ending war

What are sites of the Bosnian War in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Sarajevo: War Tunnel Museum also known as “Tunnel of Hope” was crucial lifeline during siege

Srebrenica: Memorial and Cemetry which commemorates victims of 1995 genocide

Mostar: Stari Most (Old Bridge) which was destroyed during war and later reconstructed

What are the ethical considerations and impacts of the Bosnian War in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Educational Value: how dark tourism in Bosnia fosters understanding and remembrance of past atrocities

Economic Impact: role of tourism in Bosnia’s post war recovery and development

What is an overview of Turkey’s geographical influence on tourism?

Proximity to Europe and Middle East attracts tourists form Germany, Russia, UK, and Gulf countries; accessible via major airports and seaports, making Turkey a gateway for East-West tourism; is a transcontinental country, straddling Asia and Europe, serving as key attraction and transit hub; known for its rich cultural heritage diverse landscapes, and vibrant cities like Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Antalya

What is the economic impact of Turkey’s geographical influence on tourism?

2022: their tourism sector contributed about 11.5% of GDP; employment rates raised by 11%, supporting around 3 million jobs; leverages its location to facilitate trading between Europe, Asia, and Middle East; location influences tourism patters, attracting millions annually; major sporting events: Turkish Grand Prix 2020 and 2021, Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2022, and European Athletics Indoor Championships 2023

What are the pros and cons of tourism in Turkey?

Pros: tourism is promoting investment in lesser-known regions, year-round tourism, diverse attractions; cross-cultural understanding: festivals, historical tours, bazar, etc.; economic contribution

Cons: overtourism in major cities and locations; environmental degradation of natural sites; increased waste and pollution; political issues and geopolitical challenges; economic overreliance

How does traffic infrastructure in the Phillippines impact tourism?

Metro Manila foot traffic concentration and Ninoy Aquino International Airport

What is the issue with the Philippines’s infrastructure that is affecting tourism?

Country is overcrowded; rise in tourism brings in even more people to an already overpopulated country, too many tourists are in the same area (Manila)

What could be a solution for overtourism in the Philippines and how could it help?

Ecotourism which is type of travel that aims to conserve the environment; it can push tourists outside of Manila and create less pollution and waste

What are the challenges of tourism in Costa Rica?

Problem of standing out, the misconceptions, and the distance/flights costs it takes to get to country

What has worked to increase tourism in Costa Rica?

Digital marketing, the World Cup, slogans, and the Sundance Film Festival

What impact does ecotourism have on tourism in Costa Rica?

25% of Costa Rica is protected and 5% of the Earth’s biodiversity is due to ecotourism

What are the different provinces in Canada?

Alberta (Edmonton), British Columbia (Victoria), Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Quebec City), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Manitoba (Winnipeg), New Brunswick (Fredericton), Newfoundland and Labrador (St Johns), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), Saskatchewan (Regina)

What is tourism’s affect on Canada?

2023: tourism industry grew almost 25% over last year and took up 6% of nation’s economy; accounts for 1.8 million jobs (increase from numbers pre-pandemic); 2023 3Q stats: Ontaria is most visited province, then British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta

What attractions in Canada have the most impact from tourism?

Niagara Falls (Ontario) accounts for almost 20 million tourists per year and $2 billion in spending, land border between US and Canada; Stanley Park (Vancouver, BC) accounts for about 15 million visitors, tourism contributes 2.4% to BC’s GDP; Banff National Park (Alberta) accounts for 5 million visitors per year with spending of $2 billion

What are the main railways in Germany and their pricing and options for railways?

InterCity Express (ICE): fast train links major German cities and other countries

S-Bahn and U-Bahn: S-Bahn is regional commuter system found only in major cities; difference is U-Bahn runs underground as subway system

German Rail Pass (160-170 Euros up to 15 days): best if plan to travel majority of Germany by railway, allows access to city railways and ICE

DeutschlandTicket (58 euros monthly): can be used throughout Germany on all local trains and other public transport (no access to ICE)

Berlin’s 1 Week Pass (49 Euros ABC zone): allows access to all public transport in Berlin (trains, buses, ferries)

What are the air transport options in Germany, revenue data, and recent issues?

Low Fare Carriers: largest LFC is Ryanair (has hub in Hahn, Germany), Eurowings, Airberlin, and Condor; cut cost to consumers by eliminating meals on board, establishing online booking, and removing benefits from frequent fliers; causes main carriers to reduce costs to compete

Frankfurt Airport (FRA): served 82 airlines, links 94 international country, and moved 59.4 million passengers; #1 transfer hub in Europe

Revenue Data (2017): passengers equal 116.7 million, GDP is $86 billion, and jobs is 1.1 million

Recent Issues: Germany has 16 domestic routes cut off in last 5 years, hurting tourists in short airfare travel

What are the kinds of water transport in Germany?

River Cruise: connects countries and most notably passes through Cologne to Germany, appeal in sites of natural beauty and historical areas; long trips through countries offered by Viking River Cruises, short trips offered by Koln-Dusseldorfer; boats dock on points of interests and allow passengers to explore; projected 2024 revenue: $3.29 billion

Ferries: Germany’s northern ports connect North and Baltic Sea; connects countries like Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania; northern ports move around 30 million passengers with 13 million traveling on international services

What is the Autobahn and how does it attract tourists?

Extensive network of freeway system allowing drivers access from city to city; 70% has no posted speed limit, when posted, usually 80 mph or in Urban/Dangerous stretches 62 mph; attraction of no speed limit could attract tourists to travel autobahn, reality is 10% is deconstruction and has traffic jams; car rental prices encourage tourists to rent and travel from city to city on their own

What is an overview of Austrian tourism?

Big part of the economy (8%), roughly half comes from their winter season, most tourists are from Germany and Netherlands, and known for the arts, nature, and outdoors

What are the effects of climate change that affect Austria?

Warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, no major changes in precipitation patterns but more catastrophic weather events, and decrease in snowfall and snow duration

What are the impacts of climate change on Austria’s tourism?

Less tourism because of more chaotic weather and winter tourism will be harmed, especially ski resorts

What are the solutions to combat climate change’s effects on Austria’s tourism?

Snowmaking, snow farming, and diversifying ski resorts

What is the context of Japan’s cultural heritage sites?

Meaning: deep historical roots, rich traditions, and interplay between nature and human achievement

Diversity types: temples, shrines, castles, and landscapes

How does tourism benefit Japan?

Tourism has great potential to challenge status quo and crafting sustainability, tourist dollars are spent on locally owned businesses (recirculate economy which is essential for creating wider economic benefits through investing in essential infrastructure, education, and support small local businesses), and helps revitalize rural communities and economies

What are the government interventions imposed to benefit Japan?

Japan’s govt implemented comprehensive package of policy measures aimed at safeguarding its heritage, govt promotes education in recognizing heritage preservation efforts, utilizes technology solutions to facilitate preservation and conservation of its heritage assets

What are some of the local communities in Japan?

Shirakawa-Mura: rural village located in mountainous region with heavy snowfall, has highly developed transportation network but difficult to access

Ogimachi: area in Shirakawa-Mura, important living example of historic village because of its historic buildings and landscape, and heavily benefited from tourism and continues to see growth

What is the locals’ perspective towards tourism?

Local attitudes towards tourism keep changing throughout stages of tourism development; locals may perceive tourism positively thanks to its potential job creation, income generation, and enhanced community infrastructure; some perceive negatively because of socio-cultural and environmental costs; people sometimes think presence of tourists is nuisance and disturbs local people’s way of life when it comes to overtourism

Why should people go to Japan’s local communities?

To embrace a holistic perspective, engage local communities, balance tradition and modernity, foster international cooperation and knowledge sharing, and learning how to incorporate technology and innovation

What is an overview of Indonesia as a tourist destination?

Southeast Asian archipelago with over 17000 islands and known for its diverse attractions including natural beauty (Bali, Komodo National Park), cultural heritage (Borobudur Temple), and vibrant cities (Jakarta)

What is the importance of transportation infrastructure in Indonesia’s tourism?

Key to connecting Indonesia’s many islands and regions; provides access to remote and less-explored destinations which boosts tourism diversity; makes it easier for people to travel, save time, and give better overall travel experience

How has Indonesia’s transportation infrastructure developed?

Expansion of airports (e.g., Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali), development of highways and toll roads connecting major cities, improvements in maritme transport (ports and ferries) for island access, and govt initiatives like National Tourism Strategic Areas (KSPN) program

How has the transportation infrastructure development in Indonesia caused growth in tourism?

Increased tourist arrivals due to better accessibility, easier connectivity between islands and remote locations which opens up new tourist destinations, economic benefits for local communities through tourism growth, and challenges like environmental concerns or overtourism in some areas

What is an overview of Spain’s tourism?

Population of 48 million; 2023: 2nd highest number of international tourists (85 million); Catalonia Region, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands (18 million tourists, 7.7 million population)

What is the social impact of tourism in Spain?

Strain on public services (overcrowding, traffic, attractions, transportation)

Party tourism (noise disturbances, public intoxication, littering, cultural disrespect)

Cultural erosion (gentrification and touristification, cultural and historical landmarks being repurposed

Resident tensions (impacting quality of life, resentment)

What is the environmental impact of tourism in Spain?

Waste management & litter: in 2019, Barcelona was 2nd largest contributor of emptying plastic into Mediterranean

Coastal erosion on popular beach destinations (overuse, resort construction, human impacts)

Water scarcity, drought, shortage for local populations (Catalonia region, southern coast)

Air pollution, transportation related to industry (planes, cruises, additional traffic

What is the economic impact of tourism in Spain?

2023: tourism contributed to 165 billion euros, made up 14% of GDP, 13.6% of total employment was tourism industry (1/4 jobs created)

Negatives: cost of living, seasonal employment

Housing crisis, rent has doubled in last 10 years nationally, even more so in cities (income, unemployment)

What is an overview of UAE?

Composed of 7 Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are most common destinations

Country’s official religion is Island and as a result, there are different customs that impact culture

What are the current customs of UAE?

Modest dressing; displays of PDA; during Ramadan, eating, drinking, smoking is forbidden between sunrise and sunset (non-Muslims follow this too); strict photography laws; discretion is advised for any activities that go against these norms as some have legal punishment; Dubai is most relaxed