Page 65 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

Press Release

Emirates Tourism Council holds third meeting of 2025; reviews new
initiatives aimed at enhancing the sector’s competitiveness

Hotel establishment revenues in the country exceed AED 26 billion in H1 2025,

marking 6.3 per cent growth

Abu Dhabi, 09 September 2025:

The Emirates Tourism Council held its third meeting of 2025, chaired by His Excellency Abdulla
bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Council, and attended
by the chairpersons and directors general of the local tourism authorities across the UAE. During
the meeting, H.E. affirmed that the UAE’s tourism sector continues to perform exceptionally under
the guidance of the wise leadership, which prioritizes its development as a strategic driver of non-
oil GDP growth and a key pillar in the transition to a new economic model.

His Excellency said: “Hotel establishment revenues in the country surpassed AED 26 billion in
the first half of this year, marking a 6.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Hotel occupancy rate hit 80.5 per cent during the first six months, reflecting sustained growth in
this vital sector, the concerted efforts of the public and private sectors, and supporting the
objectives of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to raise the sector’s contribution to the
national economy to AED 450 billion by the next decade.”

His Excellency added: “Through the Emirates Tourism Council, we continue our efforts to
promote sustainable tourism development in the country by fostering effective partnerships
between the public and private sectors and launching innovative initiatives and projects. These
efforts not only drive tourism growth but also create exceptional travel experiences, offer unique
opportunities to Emirati talents, and strengthen our national tourism identity on the global stage.”

The meeting reviewed a range of tourism initiatives and projects in the pipeline aimed at enhancing
the competitiveness of the UAE’s tourism sector in the coming period. It also discussed
mechanisms for implementing these initiatives and the importance of coordination between the
country’s tourism authorities and the private sector to ensure the achievement of all related
objectives. The meeting also followed up the recommendations issued during the previous
meeting, assessing the progress made so far.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the UAE’s preparations to host the ‘UAE-Africa Tourism
Investment Summit’ on October 27, as part of the ‘Future Hospitality Summit’ (FHS World) with