Page 268 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/29/25, 5:06 PM UAE global tourism leadership expands rapidly
GDP surged to AED257.3 billion, accounting for 13 percent of the national economy—an increase of 26 percent
compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Among the highlights is the approval of the new passenger terminal design at Al Maktoum International Airport,
set to become the world’s largest, with a final capacity of 260 million passengers. The airport expansion reflects

the country’s long-term vision to serve rising demand in international travel.

Also Read: Mleiha National Park reveals 210,000 years of UAE’s living human history

Visitor statistics remain strong, with the UAE welcoming over 29 million international travellers in 2024.
Spending from foreign tourists reached AED217.3 billion—a 30.4 percent increase from 2019. Domestic tourism

also showed strength with AED57.6 billion in spending last year.

Hotel performance was another standout, with 30.75 million guests in 2024 and revenues topping AED45

billion. The UAE’s 78 percent hotel occupancy rate is among the highest globally. The sector expects to
welcome 33 million hotel guests by the end of 2025.

Tourism investments hit AED32.2 billion in 2024, with projections to reach AED35.2 billion in 2025. Signature
campaigns like “World’s Coolest Winter” have played a major role, helping raise awareness of the UAE’s

tourism appeal and reaching over 1.2 billion people worldwide.

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