Page 213 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

and international tourism markets, expanding the range of tourism offerings, and enhancing service
quality to provide comprehensive and enriching experiences for visitors from around the world.

'These initiatives are in line with the UAE vision We the UAE 2031, and they aim to elevate the
country's status as one of the world's leading tourism destinations in the coming decade,' he
concluded.

Regarding international tourism, the WTTC report highlighted that the UAE continues to assert its
position as one of the world's leading travel destinations. In 2024, the country welcomed
international visitors from a diverse range of key markets, including India: 14 per cent United
Kingdom: 8 per cent, Russia: 8 per cent, China: 5 per cent, Saudi Arabia: 5 per cent, and rest of the
world: 60 per cent.

This broad geographical distribution reflects the UAE's growing global appeal and the effectiveness
of its flexible and inclusive tourism policies in attracting a wide array of visitors.

The report further revealed that international visitor spending in the UAE reached AED217.3 billion
(USD59.2 billion) in 2024, marking a 5.8% increase from 2023 and a 30.4 per cent rise compared to
pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending also witnessed strong growth, reaching AED57.6 billion
(US$15.7 billion) in 2024, an increase of 2.4 per cent over 2023 and a remarkable 41 per cent rise
compared to 2019.

These figures underscore both the resilience and upward momentum of the UAE's tourism sector
across international and domestic fronts, further solidifying its position as a premier global
destination.

The WTTC report projects that international visitor spending in the UAE will rise by 5.2 per cent in
2025, reaching approximately AED228.5 billion. Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending is expected
to grow by 4.3 per cent, hitting AED60 billion by the end of the year.
The report also highlighted that leisure tourism accounted for 84.7 per cent of total tourism
expenditure in the UAE in 2024, while business tourism represented 15.3 per cent This
demonstrates the sector's adaptability and its ability to balance both recreational and commercial
tourism demands.

Moreover, the breakdown of spending showed that 79 per cent of total tourism expenditure came
from international visitors, while 21 per cent was attributed to domestic tourists.

The report further emphasised that despite the UAE's rapid tourism sector growth, the country has
remained firmly committed to environmental standards and sustainability goals. In 2023, carbon
emissions linked to tourism activities accounted for only 13.3 per cent of the nation's total
emissions, reflecting the UAE's strategic focus on integrating sustainability across its tourism
landscape.
This performance aligns with the UAE's broader vision to promote sustainable practices across all
sectors -- ensuring that tourism growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility and
long-term ecological balance.

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global-destinations-for-international-tourist-spending