The UAE takes a keen interest in the tourism sector as it is one of the main pillars to prop the post-oil economy, said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.

Under the directives of its wise leadership, the country developed its economic system based on diversity, innovation and sustainability that achieved a noticeable 8.7 percent GDP growth worth AED134 billion during 2015, he added.

In an exclusive interview with Emirates News Agency during the run-up to the Innovation and Tourism Transformation Forum 2016, which will kick off on Wednesday at Westin Dubai in Al Habtoor city, Al Mansouri said that the forum relies on the tourism sector for the success of economic diversification policies, pursued by the state in order to achieve sustainable development that is less dependent on oil.

"Estimates indicate that the tourism sector will contribute 5.4 percent annually over the next 10 years to reach AED236.8 billion by year 2026," he added.

"The UAE has rich cultural heritage, natural diversity and the developed infrastructure that make it a strong competitor on the world tourism map," the minister noted.

According to him, the next stage offers promising prospects for the advancement of the tourism sector to a new level of growth and excellence. It will require employing potential human capital in a bid to realise the ambitious goals of enhancing the role of tourism in building a diversified knowledge-based, sustainable economy in line with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Nahyan; Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"Our vision for the tourism sector is to make the UAE one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. This ambitious vision is aimed at promoting the tourism sector to be one of the most important pillars of the post-oil economy," Al Mansouri said.

He also noted that there were plans to hold mobile promotional exhibitions in the biggest tourism exporter markets.

'Emirates for Hospitality’ has been launched as an umbrella for tourism training at the federal level, in co-ordination with the World Tourism Organisation, with the aim to develop local human resources in the tourism sector, the minister said.