Page 241 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/29/25, 5:04 PM UAE solidifies its role as a key player in global tourism sector

The Minister noted that the UAE ranked among the top seven global destinations for

international tourist spending. It also secured top worldwide positions in several travel and
aviation competitive indicators, notably the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure index.

He further pointed to the approval by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, of the designs for the new passenger
terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. The facility, set to be the world’s largest with a final

capacity of 260 million passengers, carries a total cost of Dhs128 billion.

Bin Touq stated that the tourism sector’s contribution to the UAE’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) rose to Dhs257.3 billion in 2024, representing 13 per cent of the national economy. This
marks a 3.2 percent increase from 2023 and a 26 per cent increase from the pre-pandemic
levels of 2019.

The country welcomed international visitors primarily from key markets, including India (14 per
cent), the United Kingdom (8 per cent), Russia (8 per cent), China (5 percent), and Saudi Arabia
(5 per cent), with 60 per cent arriving from other global regions.

Total international visitor spending in the UAE reached Dhs217.3 billion in 2024, showing a 5.8
per cent growth over 2023 and a 30.4 per cent increase from 2019. Domestic tourism spending
totalled Dhs57.6 billion last year, a 2.4 per cent increase from 2023 and a 41 per cent jump from
2019. Revenue from hotel establishments grew to nearly Dhs45 billion in 2024. The hotel
occupancy rate climbed to 78 per cent, one of the highest regionally and globally. The number of

hotel guests reached approximately 30.75 million in 2024, a 9.5 percent increase from 28.08
million in 2023, meeting about 77 per cent of the national target of 40 million guests annually.

Total passenger traffic through the UAE’s airports exceeded one billion between 2015 and 2024.
The total number of aircraft movements (arrivals and departures) increased to over 6.4 million,
while the number of international visitors rose from about 15 million in 2014 to over 29 million in
2024.

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