The UAE has solidified its position as a leading force in global tourism, delivering unprecedented performance across its travel, hospitality, and aviation sectors.
In 2024, the sector added AED 257.3 billion (approximately $70.1 billion) to the UAE’s economy, accounting for 13 % of GDP — marking a 3.2 % rise from 2023 and a 26 % increase over 2019’s pre-pandemic figures.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, underscored these milestones in the lead-up to World Tourism Day on 27 September.
He emphasized the rollout of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and celebrated Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais’s election as the first Emirati Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for 2026–2029.
The UAE ranked among the world’s top seven destinations in international tourist expenditure and secured prominent standings in key aviation competitiveness metrics—especially the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure index.
Reflecting this momentum, visitor outlays by international tourists reached AED 217.3 billion (about $59.2 billion) in 2024—a 5.8 % rise from 2023 and a 30.4 % increase over 2019 levels.
Spending by domestic tourists climbed to AED 57.6 billion (around $15.7 billion), a 2.4 % year-on-year increase and 41 % growth relative to 2019.
In 2024, hotel revenues neared AED 45 billion (roughly $12.3 billion), with an occupancy rate of 78 %—placing the UAE among the global leaders.
The UAE welcomed about 30.75 million hotel guests in 2024, a 9.5 % rise over the 28.08 million in 2023, reaching 77 % of the 40 million-guest national goal.
