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9/29/25, 5:06 PM UAE Solidifies Role As Key Player In Global Tourism - UrduPoint
the first Emirati to hold the position of Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism

Organisation for the 2026-2029 term.

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 AED128 billion.

Bin Touq stated that the tourism sector's contribution to the UAE’s Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) rose to AED257.3 billion in 2024, representing 13

percent of the national economy. This marks a 3.2 percent increase from 2023

and a 26 percent increase from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

The country welcomed international visitors primarily from key markets,
including India (14 percent), the United Kingdom (8 percent), Russia (8

percent), China (5 percent), and Saudi Arabia (5 percent), with 60 percent

arriving from other global regions.

Total international visitor spending in the UAE reached AED217.3 billion in 2024,

showing a 5.8 percent growth over 2023 and a 30.4 percent increase from 2019.
Domestic tourism spending totalled AED57.6 billion last year, a 2.4 percent

increase from 2023 and a 41 percent jump from 2019.

Revenue from hotel establishments grew to nearly AED45 billion in 2024.

The hotel occupancy rate climbed to 78 percent, one of the highest regionally and

globally. The number of hotel guests reached approximately 30.

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