Leveraging Sustainable Tourism to Project Soft Power: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates

Al Sairafi, F. (2023). How the Middle East is striving to lead the way in sustainable tourism, World Economic Forum? https,//www.weforum.org/stories/2023/09/middle-east-sustainable-tourism-travel/

Al-Muhannadi, K., Boros, A., Vinogradov, S., & Dávid, L. (2024). Literature review of impacts of mega-sport global events on destination sustainability and sustainability marketing—reflection on Qatar 2022 FIFA world cup. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(12), 6214. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i12.6214

Anholt, S. (1996). Making a brand travel. Journal of Brand Management, 3(6), 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.1996.17

Awashreh, R. and Ghunaimi, H. (2024). Importance of green resources in tourism destinations in gcc., In book: Examining Green Human Resources Management and Nascent Entrepreneurship ,Chapter 12,  IGI Global, 289-316.

Beigi, M. (2009). Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Imam Sadeq University Press. [In Persian]

Benchabane, Y. (2015). The Key Factors of a Sustainable and Successful Tourism Sector, The Case of Dubai.   The Scientific Research Offices, 3(2),16-37. https,//www.asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/112929

Benning, M. (2024). Why the UAE is Investing in Sustainability, Envision RISE. https,//envisionrise.com/post/why-the-uae-is-investing-in-sustainability/

Benny, J. (2023). Dubai relaunches carbon calculator for the hospitality sector, The National. https,//www.thenationalnews.com/business/travel-and-tourism/2023/03/05/dubai-relaunches-carbon-calculator-for-hospitality-sector/  

Berger, R. (2023). UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. Dubai, UAE, ROLAND BERGER Middle East. https,//www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/The-UAE-Tourism-Strategy-2031.html

Blue Ocean Academy. (2025). Sustainable travel and tourism in the UAE. https://www.blueoceanacademy.com/sustainable-travel-and-tourism-in-the-uae/

Brand Finance. (2024). Global Soft Power Index. https,//brandirectory.com/softpower/

Casado Claro, M.-F., Pastrana Huguet, J., & Saavedra Serrano, M. C. (2023). Tourism as a soft power tool: The role of public diplomacy in Japan’s country and destination branding. Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-Being, 11 (2), 66–80.  https://doi.org/10.34623/snwy-ec89

Civillini, M. (2023). UAE pitches itself as Africa’s carbon credits leader, Climate Home News. https,//www.climatechangenews.com/2023/09/04/uae-africa-carbon-credits/

Darby, M. (2015). United Arab Emirates submits renewables goal to the UN, Climate Home News. https,//www.climatechangenews.com/2015/10/22/united-arab-emirates-submits-renewables-goal-to-un/

DDCR. (2024). Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. https,//www.ddcr.org/

Dubai Sustainable Tourism. (2016). https,//dst.dubaitourism.ae/

Dubai Sustainable Tourism. (2019). The Sustainability Requirements. https,//dst.dubaitourism.ae/Home/Standards

Dubinsky, Y. (2019). From soft power to sports diplomacy, a theoretical and conceptual discussion. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy 156-164. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-019-00116-8

Duignan, M., Pappalepore, I., & Everett, S. (2019). The ‘summer of discontent’: exclusion and communal resistance at the London 2012 Olympics. Tourism Management, 70, 355-367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.08.029

El-Dabt, L. (2025). Sustainable strategic nation branding through sports: leveraging soft power via mega-event hosting. Frontiers in Sociology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1521396

1. (2024). Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth and Business Events, Exhibition World. https,//www.exhibitionworld.co.uk/abu-dhabis-tourism-strategy-2030-a-blueprint-for-sustainable-growth-and-business-events

FDI Intelligence. (2022). Tourism Investment Report 2022.

FMI. (2023). UAE Sustainable Tourism Market Outlook (2023 to 2033) Future Market Insights. https,//www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/uae-sustainable-tourism-market

Gallarotti, Giulio M. (2011). Soft power, what it is, why it is important, and the conditions for its effective use. Journal of Political Power 25-47. https://doi.org/10.1080/2158379X.2011.557886

Grix, J., Jeong, J., & Kim, H. (2021). Understanding South Korea’s use of sports mega-events for domestic, regional and international soft power. Societies, 11(4), 144. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11040144

Hammad, N., Ahmad, S., & Papastathopoulos, A. (2018). The moderating role of nationality in residents' perceptions of the impacts of tourism development in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Tourism Research, 21(1), 61-75. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2241

Haqqani, A. (2023). Dubai launched a sustainable tourism seal to introduce the city's most sustainable hotels, Aria Heritage News Agency.[In Persian] www.chtn.ir/x3LMg

Heidbreder, L., Steinhorst, J., & Schmitt, M. (2020). Plastic-free july: an experimental study of limiting and promoting factors in encouraging a reduction of single-use plastic consumption. Sustainability, 12(11), 4698. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114698

Heinebusch, Z. (2005). International relations of Middle Eastern countries. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 8(3). [In Persian: Asgar Ghahramanpour, Trans.] Retrieved from https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/us-canada-poland-mexico-el-salvador-italy-spain-norway-and-portugal-among-eighty-eight-visa-free-travel-countries-boosting-uae-tourism-sector-new-report-you-need-to-know/

Ibrahim, M. (2024). UAE’s tourism sector is on strong footing as projections indicate further growth, Al-Etihad.https,//en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4517955/uae-s-tourism-sector-on-strong-footing-as-projections-indica

Ilevbare, S. and McPherson, G. (2022). Understanding covid-19: a hybrid threat and its impact on sport mega-events. a focus on Japan and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.720591

International Labour Organization. (2010). Developments and challenges in the hospitality and tourism sector. Sectoral Activities Programme. Issues paper for discussion at the Global Dialogue Forum for the Hotels, Catering, and Tourism Sector (23–24 November 2010). ILO, Geneva.

Ki, E., Oh, J., & Kim, C. (2020). Influence of the olympic winter games pyeongchang 2018 on the korean wave: comparison of perceptions between Koreans and Americans. International Journal of Population Studies, 6(2), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.18063/ijps.v6i2.1211

Kilduff, K., & Núñez Tabales, J. M. (2017). Country Branding and its effect on the consumer in the global market. Cuadernos de Gestión, 17(1), 83-104.

https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=274349307004

Knott, B., Swart, K., Althawadi, O., & Ali, Y. (2024). Nation-branding opportunities through sport mega-events: tourism impact from FIFA world cup in South Africa 2010 and Qatar 2022. International Conference on Tourism Research, 7(1), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.34190/ictr.7.1.2191

Krzymowski, A. (2020). The European Union and the United Arab Emirates as civilian and soft powers engaged in sustainable development goals. Journal of International Studies, 13(3), 41-58. https://www.jois.eu/?624,en_the-european-union-and-the-united-arab-emirates-as-civilian-and-soft-powers-engaged-in-sustainable-development-goals

Leonard, M. (2002). Public Diplomacy. London, The Foreign Policy Centre.

Lootah, Y. (2024). Sustanibility Industry Report. Dubia, Dubia Department Economy and Tourism. https,//www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights/sustainability-industry-report-may-2024

Mannaa, M. (2020). Residents’ perceptions of the impacts of tourism development: empirical evidence from UAE. International Journal of Heritage Tourism and Hospitality, 14(1), 52-66. DOI: 10.21608/ijhth.2020.120266

Martin, J., Alkazemi, M., & Sharma, K. (2023). A “regional halo effect”: media use and evaluations of America's strategic relationships with five Middle East countries. International Communication Gazette, 86(4), 332-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/17480485231165

MasdarCity. (2024). Masdar City. https,//www.masdarcity.ae/

MBRSIC. (2024). Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park UAE. http,//www.mbrsic.ae/en/about/mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-solar-park/

MENA. (2024). Dubai Centre for Family Businesses Launches New Corporate Governance Toolkit for Family Businesses. https,//menafn.com/1108056061/Dubai-Centre-For-Family-Businesses-Launches-New-Corporate-Governance-Toolkit-For-Family-Businesses

Ministry of Economy - UAE. (2024). UAE tops MENA region and climbs seven places globally in WEF's tourism travel development index 2024. https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/uae-tops-mena-region-and-climbs-seven-places-globally-in-wef-s-tourism-travel-development-index-2024

MOCCAE. (2016). UAE Green Key Performance Indicators, UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment Green Development Department. https,//www.moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/9c7ea0fa/uae-green-key-performance-indicators-pdf.aspx

Morgan, N., A. Pritchard, & R. Pride (eds.) (2011). Destination Brands, Managing Place Reputation. Oxford, Elsevier

Nadkarni, S. and Haider, I. (2022). Digital transformation, operational efficiency and sustainability: innovation drivers for hospitality's rebound in the United Arab Emirates. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 14(6), 572-578. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-05-2022-0054

Nye, J. (2008). Soft Power, Seyyed Mohsen Rouhani and Mehdi Zolfaghari, Tehran, Imam Sadiq University Press. [In Persian]

Ooi, C.S. (2014). The Making of the Copy-cat City, Accreditation Tactics in Place Branding. In Branding Chinese Mega-Cities, Policies, Practices and Positioning, P. Berg and E. Bjo¨rner, eds., pp.232–248. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar

Ooi, C.S. (2015). Soft power, tourism. In Encyclopedia of Tourism, J Jafari and H Xiao (eds), Springer International Publishing Switzerland. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_184-1

Ozan, S. (2023). The Green Hydrogen Revolution, How UAE’s Sustainability Efforts Are Transforming Tourism. https,//www.reportlinker.com/article/450

Özkan, B., & Boylu, Y. (2021). A Study on the Use of Tourism as a Soft Power Instrument in International Relations. Journal of Tourismology, 7(1), 73–99. https://doi.org/10.26650/jot.2021.7.1.0004

Papastathopoulos, A., Ahmad, S., Hammad, N., & Kaminakis, K. (2019). Demographic analysis of residents’ support for tourism development in the UAE: a bayesian structural equation modeling multigroup approach. Journal of Travel Research, 59(6), 1119-1139.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519874

Pernecky, T. (2010). The Being of Tourism. Journal of Tourism and Peace Research 1,1-22.

Plan Abu Dhabi 2030. (2007). Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. https,//faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/abintouq/GEO440_Spring2014/Capital-2030-en.pdf 

Platinum Heritage. (2025) Sustainable tourism. Platinum Heritage – UAE. https://uae.platinum-heritage.com/about-us/sustainable-tourism

Prawira, M., Pamungkas, Y., Agustin, D., Tanisa, F., Alviana, A., Anisa, D., … & Syam, R. (2023). Halal tourism destination from tourist perspectives: a review. Journal of Tourism Sustainability, 3(1), 50-60. https://doi.org/10.35313/jtospolban.v3i1.75

Rahmani, M. (2015). Public Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. Quarterly Journal of Strategic Studies of Globalization, 6 (15), pp. 63–89. [In Persian]  https://sspp.iranjournals.ir/article_13797.html?lang=fa

Reisinger, Y., Michael, N., & Hayes, J. (2018). Destination competitiveness from a tourist perspective: a case of the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Tourism Research, 21(2), 259-279. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2259

Reuters (2022), UAE targets clean projects at 50% of the energy mix by 2050. https,//www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-targets-clean-projects-50-energy-mix-by-2050-energy-minister-2022-10-30/

Rothman, Steven B. (2011). Revising the soft power concept, What are the means and mechanisms of soft power?, Journal of Political Power 4(1), 49-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/2158379X.2011.556346

Ryan, C., & Gu, H. (2008). Destination branding and marketing, The role of marketing organizations. Handbook of Hospitality Marketing Management, 1(1), 383-411.

Salman, Y. (2025). Religious tolerance and tourism: the UAE case. Tourism Review International. https://doi.org/10.3727/194344225x17315216888970

Shaaban, M. (2024). Sustainability in tourism and entertainment. The UAE is a unique model, Al Ain News.[In Arabic]  https,//al-ain.com/article/sustainability-tourism-leisure-environment

Sharpley, R. (2008). "Planning for tourism, The case of Dubai." Tourism and Hospitality Planning and Development 5 (1), pp. 13–30.  https,//doi.org/10.1080/14790530801936429

Stanojevic, S. (2020). Embracing sustainability in the drive from ordinary to outstanding: case examples from Emirates, Jumeirah and Rotana. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 12(5), 575-586.  https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-06-2020-0050

The First Group. (2024). Dubai to become a World-class eco-tourism destination. https,//www.thefirstgroup.com/en/news/dubai-to-become-world-class-eco-tourism-destination/

The National Ecotourism Project. (2020). https,//u.ae/en/information-andservices/environment-and-energy/the-national-ecotourism-project  

TTW. (2025). US, Canada, Poland, Mexico, El Salvador, Italy, Spain, Norway, and Portugal among eighty-eight visa-free travel countries boosting UAE tourism sector: New report you need to know. Travel and Tour World.

U.S. Department of State. (2024). 2024 Investment Climate Statements, United Arab Emirates. https,//www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/united-arab-emirates/

UAE Government. (2024). Waste management, The United Arab Emirates's Government portal. https,//u.ae/en/#/

United Nations Environment Programme. (UNEP). and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2005). Making tourism more sustainable. A guide for policymakers. UNEP and UNWTO, Paris and Madrid.

Utravel. (2024). Professionals Can Fly Greener and Travel Smarter with the Right Business Travel Agency. https,//www.utravel.ae/professionals-can-fly-greener-and-travel-smarter-with-the-right-business-travel-agency/

Vision 2021. (2010). Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. https,//uaecabinet.ae/en/prime-ministers-initiatives/vision-2021

WAM. (2016). Mohammed bin Rashid approves Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy Final add, WAM news agency. https,//www.wam.ae/en/details/1395294678474

World Tourism Organization (2020). Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics, adopted by Resolution A/RES/772(XIII) of the General Assembly of UNWTO. https,//www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421671

Yang, J. (2019). Analyzing the Effects of International Tourism on Soft Power. University of San Diego.

Yaqub, M., Yaqub, R., Riaz, T., & Alamri, H. (2023). Prolificacy of green consumption orientation and environmental knowledge to slash plastic bag consumption: the moderating role of consumer attitudes and the demarketing efforts. Sustainability, 15(13), 10136. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310136

YasIsland. (2024). Yas Island .https,//www.yasisland.com/

Zaara. (2021). Dubai Tourism Strategy, Commitbiz, https,//www.commitbiz.com/blog/a-guide-to-dubai-tourism-strategy

Zamya (2024), UAE a destination for promising investment opportunities and sustainable growth. https,//www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/uae-a-destination-for-promising-investment-opportunities-and-sustainable-growth-oaxybwxs