Page 570 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 ( Part 2)

5/19/25, 1:47 PM Bin Touq meets with tourism ministers of Spain, Croatia to enhance prospects for cooperation in sector - The Tribune
national GDP to AED 450 billion, attracting tourism investments worth AED 100 billion to the
country's markets, and welcoming 40 million guests by the year 2031.

The Minister of Economy reviewed key performance indicators of the UAE tourism sector, which

include a total of AED 45 billion in hotel revenues in 2024 with a three per cent year-over-year

growth. The hotel occupancy rate in the country reached 78%, which is among the highest

regionally and globally. Additionally, 16 new hotels were launched across the UAE in 2024,
taking the total number of hotels to 1,251 by the end of last year.

During his meeting with Rosario Sanchez Grau, Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism, Bin

Touq reviewed latest developments in the global tourism sector, the mechanisms to enable
sustainable growth, as well as enhancing cooperation in various tourism fields. The two sides

explored the potential for establishing new partnerships to increase mutual tourism flows.

The number of Spanish tourists to the UAE reached 150,231 in 2024, representing an increase

of more than 14% compared to that of 2023. The number of flights between the UAE and Spain

amount to approximately 48 weekly services, operated by airlines of both countries.

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