Page 271 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/29/25, 5:06 PM UAE solidifies role as key player in global tourism
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 30.75 million in 2024, a 9.5 percent

increase from 28.08 million in 2023, meeting about 77 percent of the national target
of 40 million guests annually.

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