The UAE marks World Tourism Day on September 27, standing at the forefront of global tourism with record-breaking growth in visitor numbers, economic impact, infrastructure development, and international acclaim.
This remarkable performance reflects a deliberate national strategy, supported by significant investments, innovative promotional initiatives, and a long-term vision for the sector’s expansion.
The country continues to consolidate its position as a premier global tourism hub, reaching key benchmarks that underscore its appeal to international travellers, investors, and event organisers. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, that the UAE’s tourism sector has entered a new era of excellence and worldwide recognition.
Key Achievements and Strategic Milestones
Among the key achievements are the UAE ranking among the top seven global destinations for international tourist expenditure, leading in multiple international travel and aviation competitiveness metrics, and Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais being elected as the first Emirati Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation for the 2026–2029 term. These milestones follow the successful implementation of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to increase the sector’s GDP contribution, attract investments, and boost visitor numbers across the country.
The UAE continues to scale its aviation and travel infrastructure, notably through the development of Al Maktoum International Airport. Approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the airport’s new passenger terminal is projected to become the largest in the world, with a final capacity of 260 million passengers. Total investment for the project stands at AED128 billion.
Over the past decade, UAE airports have recorded over 1 billion passengers and more than 6.4 million aircraft movements. International visitor numbers have surged from approximately 15 million in 2014 to over 29 million in 2024. In the first eight months of 2025, airports handled 102.9 million passengers, a 5.3% increase from the same period in 2024, with total traffic projected to reach 160 million by year-end.
Tourism’s Contribution to Economic Growth
The UAE’s tourism sector continues to drive economic growth, supported by higher visitor spending, robust hotel performance, and domestic travel. Tourism contributed AED257.3 billion to the UAE’s GDP in 2024, representing 13% of the economy, a 3.2% increase from 2023 and 26% above 2019 pre-pandemic levels. International visitor spending reached AED217.3 billion, up 5.8% from 2023 and 30.4% higher than in 2019, while domestic tourism spending grew to AED57.6 billion, rising 2.4% from 2023 and 41% higher than in 2019.
The hotel sector achieved nearly AED45 billion in revenue in 2024, with an occupancy rate of 78%, ranking among the highest globally. Approximately 30.75 million guests stayed in UAE hotels, a 9.5% increase from 2023, meeting 77% of the national target of 40 million annual visitors. In the first half of 2025, hotel revenue exceeded AED26 billion, a 6.3% year-on-year increase, with over 16 million guests, up 5.5% from the same period in 2024. The UAE now hosts 1,243 hotels with more than 216,000 rooms, including 16 new openings in 2024. For 2025, projected hotel guest numbers are 33 million, with revenue expected to rise by 7%, surpassing the AED45 billion generated in 2024.
