Page 255 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/29/25, 5:05 PM UAE Strengthens Its Role In Global Tourism Sector Growth - OneArabia

The UAE ranks among the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending. It also excels in various travel

and aviation indicators, particularly in air transport infrastructure quality. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al

Maktoum approved designs for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. The facility will be the world's
largest, accommodating 260 million passengers at a cost of AED128 billion.

In 2024, tourism contributed AED257.3 billion to the UAE’s GDP, accounting for 13 percent of the national economy. This
represents a 3.2 percent increase from 2023 and a 26 percent rise from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The country

welcomed visitors mainly from India (14 percent), the UK (8 percent), Russia (8 percent), China (5 percent), and Saudi

Arabia (5 percent).

Total international visitor spending reached AED217.3 billion in 2024, marking a 5.8 percent growth over 2023 and a 30.4
percent increase from 2019. Domestic tourism spending was AED57.6 billion last year, showing a 2.4 percent rise from

https://www.onearabia.me/business/uae-role-in-global-tourism-growth-011-123527.html#google_vignette 2/4