As the world continues to slowly but surely recover and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has shared some positive words.

On Sunday, May 16, Dubai hosted the Arabian Travel Market, a significant event to mark how the tourism industry was recovering amidst the pandemic.

With 62 countries partaking, His Highness stated that it was the first “international mega tourism event since the COVID-19 outbreak”.

He also highlighted that there was positivity in sight for the travel industry.

“Dubai welcomes the world as global tourism begins to recover, representing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

While things are slowly improving, particularly with increasing vaccine rates, the Chief Executive of Dubai Airport, Paul Griffiths, has stated that vaccine passports will be “inevitable” for international travel.

However, the proposed system of a vaccine passport has sparked some concern and criticism with some arguing it would discriminate against those who cannot get the vaccination, but Griffiths explained that there isn’t a feasible alternative.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Griffiths said, “I don’t think there is an alternative.”

“I think the problem is not the vaccine passport and its discrimination,” he added. “It’s the need to roll things out and have a proper globally equitable vaccine programme.”

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Feature Image: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter