Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its role as a central player in the global tourism sector, cementing its position as a leading destination for international travel, events, and investment. The UAE is set to observe World Tourism Day tomorrow, 27th September, continuing its exceptional performance with record-breaking results across the sector. This success, which has earned praise from international bodies and visitors worldwide, reflects the superior quality of the UAE's tourism model.
According to Emirates News Agency, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, highlighted significant milestones achieved by the sector. These include the launch of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as the first Emirati to hold the position of Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation for the 2026-2029 term.
The UAE ranked among the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending and achieved top worldwide positions in various travel and aviation competitive indicators, notably the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure index. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved designs for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, projected to be the world's largest with a capacity of 260 million passengers and a cost of AED128 billion.
The tourism sector's contribution to the UAE's GDP rose to AED257.3 billion in 2024, representing 13 percent of the national economy. This marks a 3.2 percent increase from 2023 and a 26 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. International visitors primarily came from key markets, including India, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Total international visitor spending in the UAE reached AED217.3 billion in 2024, a 5.8 percent growth over 2023 and a 30.4 percent increase from 2019. Domestic tourism spending totalled AED57.6 billion last year, a 2.4 percent increase from 2023 and a 41 percent jump from 2019.
Revenue from hotel establishments grew to nearly AED45 billion in 2024, with a hotel occupancy rate of 78 percent. The number of hotel guests reached approximately 30.75 million in 2024, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year.
The UAE's airports reported over one billion passengers between 2015 and 2024, with aircraft movements surpassing 6.4 million. The number of international visitors rose from about 15 million in 2014 to over 29 million in 2024. UAE airports handled approximately 102.9 million passengers in the first eight months of 2025.
Tourism investments attracted by the UAE reached AED28.8 billion in 2023 and rose to AED32.2 billion in 2024, with projections to hit AED35.2 billion in 2025. In H1 2025, hotel establishments hosted more than 16 million guests, reflecting a 5.5 percent growth compared to the same period in 2024.
Hotel revenues increased to over AED26 billion in H1 2025, a 6.3 percent growth compared to the same period last year. Bin Touq projected that hotel guests in the country would reach 33 million in 2025, with hotel revenues expected to increase by 7 percent this year compared to AED45 billion in 2024.
The "World's Coolest Winter" campaign has yielded significant results in hotel revenues, amounting to approximately AED6.7 billion over its five editions. The campaign has reached more than 1.2 billion people worldwide, showcasing the UAE's landmarks and diverse destinations.
The UAE is preparing to host the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on 27th October 2025, in Dubai, as part of the Future Hospitality Summit. The event will gather tourism ministers and senior officials from 53 African nations, emphasizing the UAE's role as a trusted partner in tourism investment.