Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, underscored the sustained expansion and strong performance of the UAE’s tourism industry. He credited this progress to the leadership’s strategic guidance and forward-thinking approach, which have resulted in the implementation of sustainable frameworks, policies, and initiatives propelling the sector’s advancement.
Tourism, he emphasised, remains a fundamental contributor to enhancing the national economy’s competitiveness and resilience, playing a pivotal role in the country’s shift towards a knowledge-based and innovation-led economic model.
The Minister reported that hotel revenues across the UAE reached around AED 45 billion in 2024, marking a 3 per cent year-on-year increase. Hotel occupancy rates rose to 78 per cent, placing the UAE among the leading destinations regionally and globally in terms of occupancy.
This growth was further supported by the launch of 16 new hotels across the seven emirates in 2024, bringing the nationwide total to 1,251 hotels by year-end. The total number of hotel rooms also increased, reaching 216,966 by the close of 2024 – an annual growth of 3 per cent.
Bin Touq stated that the UAE remains committed to advancing its national tourism agenda by launching innovative projects and strengthening cooperation with both domestic and international tourism entities. These efforts are designed to reinforce the UAE’s global tourism identity over the coming decade by offering exceptional experiences, broadening niche tourism segments, enhancing sector capabilities, encouraging Emirati participation, and stimulating increased investment throughout the tourism landscape.
He also noted that the total number of hotel guests in the UAE reached approximately 30.8 million in 2024, signifying a 9.5 per cent increase. This figure equates to 77 per cent of the target set by the ‘National Tourism Strategy 2031’, achieved seven years ahead of schedule.
“With our current pace of growth, we are well-positioned to reach the strategy’s bold objective of drawing 40 million hotel guests,” bin Touq added.
