Page 652 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2024

1/3/25, 3:13 PM UAE hotels generate $9.12 billion in revenues in 9M 2024
UAE hotels generate $9.12 billion in revenues in 9M 2024
The average hotel occupancy rate across the UAE's seven emirates rose to 77.8 percent, one of the highest globally

In the UAE, hotel occupancy rates hit 80 percent, with a total of 15.3 million guests across the seven emirates in the first half of 2024
Published: Thu 12 Dec 2024, 2:23 PM
As the tourism sector in the UAE continued to grow, hotel establishments saw a rise in demand, generating
AED33.5 billion ($9.12 billion) in revenues during the first nine months of 2024. This strong revenue reflects a
4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The average hotel occupancy rate across the UAE’s seven emirates rose to 77.8 percent, one of the highest
globally. Hotel nights reached approximately 75.5 million from January to September 2024, marking an eight
percent increase year-on-year.
Joint Arab action in tourism
This remarkable growth in the hotel sector was recently announced during the UAE delegation’s participation in
the 27th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab
States General Secretariat in Cairo.
The UAE delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing joint Arab action in the tourism sector,
emphasizing its role as a vital economic driver and a key contributor to sustainable development in the Arab
region. The UAE delegation also noted that joint Arab tourism efforts extend beyond economic benefits, serving
as a platform to foster cultural rapprochement, preserve the rich Arab heritage, and strengthen the shared
identity of Arab peoples.
Intra-Arab tourism development
The 27th session discussed several topics aimed at promoting the tourism sector in Arab countries, especially in
light of the challenges it faces as a result of geopolitical developments in the region. The council reviewed
ambitious plans to develop intra-Arab tourism, focusing on the pivotal role played by the tourism sector in
supporting the gross domestic product of Arab countries, improving the balance of payments, and increasing
foreign and local currency resources.
The council also emphasized the importance of the sector’s role in providing new direct and indirect job
opportunities and driving urban expansion through the creation of tourist and residential attractions.
The session’s agenda included a number of key topics, most notably the development of a joint regional tourism
product under the title “Arab Tourism Region”, tourism innovation and the promotion of smart tourism,
supporting joint tourism work between Arab countries, and enhancing the inclusivity of contemporary Arab
tourist destinations.
The UAE has implemented several initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the hospitality sector
across the seven emirates and their role in supporting the goals outlined in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.
Read: Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles partner to boost global flight network
Hotels welcome 15.3 million guests in H1 2024
H.E Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, recently revealed that the hospitality sector has been
witnessing significant growth since the beginning of this year, driven by the influx of tourists and a rising
number of travelers within the country.
In the UAE, the hotel occupancy rates hit 80 percent, with a total of 15.3 million guests across the seven
emirates in the first half of 2024. This represents a 10.5 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in

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