FUJAIRAH, 1st May, 2025 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the Emirate of Fujairah hosted the first of its kind conference on adventure tourism in the country. The Fujairah International Conference of Adventures Tourism, organised by the Fujairah Adventures Centre in partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism).

The event featured participation from industry leaders in tourism, with a particular emphasis on adventure tourism. The day was filled with insightful discussions across five sessions covering a wide range of significant topics in the adventure tourism sector. Together, these discussions shaped a forward-looking roadmap to strengthen Fujairah's position as a leading destination for sustainable adventure tourism in the region.

The first panel discussion of the day, titled Investment in Adventure Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges, discussed various topics, including the role of government in facilitating investments, the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors for the expansion of adventure tourism, optimal investment models with great potential in the market, and the use of modern technology in the sector.

The discussion on Safety & Standards: Pioneering Global Best Practices featured distinguished panellists who unanimously agreed that safety is a fundamental aspect of adventure tourism. They called for the establishment of clear regulatory frameworks and emphasised the importance of training and certifying staff. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of participants and maintaining the reputation of destinations, especially during emergency situations.

The third panel discussion brought together industry leaders in tourism from around the world to explore how sustainability and community empowerment can preserve nature and support local economies. Titled Sustainability and Community: Preserving Nature and Empowering Local Economies, underlined the importance of protecting natural assets as a foundation for the growth of the adventure sector. The session highlighted successful global models for biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation, demonstrating that adventure tourism provides unique opportunities for communities to celebrate and benefit from their cultural and natural heritage.

The panel discussion, titled Innovation and Youth: Shaping the Future of Outdoor Activities, focused on the central role of youth in redefining adventure tourism and encouraged greater participation and empowerment of youth. Speakers addressed the challenges facing young entrepreneurs in this emerging sector and highlighted the power of social media and modern technologies in supporting adventure tourism businesses and promoting their activities.

The sessions concluded with a final panel featuring representatives from the UN Tourism and global leaders in the tourism sector who shared their insights and expertise to help shape the future of sports and adventure tourism. They discussed strategies for advancing adventure tourism within a sustainable framework and stressed the importance of aligning destinations with global environmental standards and integrating local communities into all aspects of tourism development.