The UAE’s tourism sector delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2025, with hotel revenues crossing AED26 billion ($7.1 billion), according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council.
Speaking at the Council’s third meeting of the year, Bin Touq confirmed that the figure reflects a 6.3% rise compared with the same period in 2024. He also noted that national hotel occupancy reached 80.5%, underscoring the industry’s resilience and ability to compete on a global scale.
Driving Tourism Strategy 2031
Bin Touq emphasised that the results are closely aligned with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets raising the sector’s contribution to the national economy to AED450 billion ($122.5 billion) by the next decade.
He said: “Through the Emirates Tourism Council, we continue to promote sustainable tourism development by strengthening public-private sector collaboration and introducing innovative projects and initiatives. These efforts not only drive sector growth but also create memorable travel experiences, open new opportunities for Emirati talent, and reinforce our national tourism identity on the world stage.”
Strengthening Partnerships and Future Outlook
The meeting gathered senior representatives from tourism authorities across the UAE, where participants reviewed new initiatives designed to boost competitiveness, enhance private-sector cooperation, and accelerate earlier recommendations.
Preparations were also discussed for the upcoming UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit, scheduled for October 27 as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World). The event will host ministers and senior officials from 53 African nations, reinforcing the UAE’s growing role as a hub for tourism investment.
The summit will serve as a platform to establish strategic partnerships and explore opportunities in tourism infrastructure, sustainable hospitality, and specialised travel products, positioning the UAE as a bridge connecting African and international markets.
A Cornerstone of Diversified Growth
Local tourism authorities also presented updates on achievements from the past nine months and outlined development plans for 2026 aimed at further strengthening the country’s global standing.
Bin Touq reiterated that under the leadership’s vision, tourism continues to be a strategic driver of non-oil GDP growth and a key pillar in the UAE’s transformation into a diversified economy.
