The UAE Tourism Council plans to expand the use of the Jaywan national payment card across the tourism sector and develop joint packages with the Esaad, Fazaa and Al Saada discount programmes for citizens and residents. The initiative aims to encourage more domestic travel and hotel stays.

The proposal was discussed at a UAE Tourism Council meeting in Ajman chaired by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. The council said it plans to expand the network of hotels, tourist attractions and other establishments that accept the Jaywan card, while increasing cooperation with the Esaad, Fazaa and Al Saada benefits programmes.

The goal is to provide competitive offers and packages for different segments of society, encouraging residents to stay longer at domestic destinations, visit more locations across the emirates and spend a greater share of their tourism budgets within the UAE. Details of the discounts, hotels and attractions covered by the initiative have yet to be announced.

The council also reviewed progress on the Visit UAE digital platform. It is set to become a comprehensive national portal showcasing tourism offers and products across the country while strengthening cooperation between government entities and the private sector.

The measures form part of the UAE’s National Tourism Strategy 2031. The country aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to AED450 billion by 2031. Tourism officials have also emphasised the development of experiences that encourage visitors to travel to multiple destinations within the UAE, extend their stays and increase tourism spending.

In addition to the domestic market, the council reviewed the UAE’s plans to participate in international tourism exhibitions and events across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Gulf Cooperation Council countries through March 2027.