Page 277 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

UAE solidifies role as key player in global tourism

Story by RM / KN

• 3d •

4 min read

ABU DHABI, 26th September, 2025 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its role as
a central player in the global tourism sector, cementing its position as a leading destination for
international travel, events, and investment.

The UAE is set to observe World Tourism Day tomorrow, 27th September, continuing its exceptional
performance with record-breaking results across the sector. This success, which has earned praise
from international bodies and visitors worldwide, reflects the superior quality of the UAE’s tourism
model.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy
and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said that the sector had achieved
major milestones, including the launch of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and the election of
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, as 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 30.75 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.

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/uae-solidifies-role-as-key-player-in-global-tourism/ar-
AA1NmgGu