Page 53 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

Press Release

Emirates Tourism Council discusses results of fifth edition of

‘World's Coolest Winter’ campaign and highlights its vital role in
strengthening UAE's tourism competitiveness

Hotel occupancy rates reach nearly 78 per cent in the first ten months of 2024,

reflecting a 2.7 per cent growth

Abu Dhabi, 20 February 2025:

The Emirates Tourism Council held its first meeting of 2025, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq
Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Council, and attended by chairpersons and
directors of all local tourism entities in the country. The meeting discussed the results of the fifth
edition of the ‘World's Coolest Winter’ campaign, highlighting its key role in strengthening the
UAE's competitiveness as a leading global tourism destination. In addition, the Council meeting
explored a range of tourism initiatives and projects slated for this year to promote the sector’s
growth.

Tourism sector growth

H.E. Bin Touq said: "The tourism sector continues to grow in line with the forward-thinking vision
of our wise leadership. Total revenues of hotel establishments in the country amounted to AED
37.1 billion between January and October 2024, reflecting a 4 per cent increase compared to the
same period in 2023. During the same period, hotel occupancy rates reached nearly 78 per cent,
up 2.7 per cent."

H.E. stated that these indicators reflect continued growth in UAE tourism across its various sub-
sectors and industries. The collective efforts to boost them further is key to advancing the goals of
the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 aimed at boosting the sector's GDP contribution to AED 450
billion by the next decade in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision. H.E. expressed his optimism
that the sector will experience continued growth this year, in light of the innovative tourism
endeavours and initiatives implemented by the country.

"During this year's Council meetings, our focus will be on advancing collaboration with all tourism
organisations within the UAE and overseas to implement new initiatives in alignment with our
national tourism goals. They will also complement Al Ain’s selection as the capital of Gulf
Tourism for the year 2025, thus enhancing the UAE's overall position as a leading global
destination," the Minister of Economy added.

Al Ain, the capital of Gulf Tourism for 2025