Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Sep 26: Marking World Tourism Day 2025, the United Arab Emirates has reported unprecedented growth in visitor numbers, economic contribution, and global recognition, reflecting its strategic investments and robust tourism vision, according to the Emirates News Agency.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said the UAE continues to strengthen its global position as a leading destination for travellers, investors, and event organisers.

Key milestones include:

• Ranking among the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending.
• Leading several international travel and aviation competitiveness indicators, including top spot for Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure.
• Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais elected as the first Emirati Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation for the 2026–2029 term.

Mega infrastructure and aviation growth

The UAE’s aviation and travel infrastructure continue to expand, with Al Maktoum International Airport set to become the world’s largest passenger terminal, accommodating 260 million passengers with a total investment of AED128 billion.

• Airport passenger traffic (2015–2024): Over 1 billion.
• Aircraft movements: More than 6.4 million.
• International visitors: Increased from 15 million in 2014 to 29 million in 2024.
• Jan–Aug 2025: 102.9 million passengers handled, up 5.3% from 2024.
• Projected total passengers for 2025: 160 million.

Tourism drives economic growth

The sector’s contribution to the UAE GDP in 2024 reached AED257.3 billion (13% of the economy), up 3.2% from 2023 and 26% from pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

• International visitor spending: AED217.3 billion, up 5.8% from 2023.
• Domestic tourism spending: AED57.6 billion, up 2.4% from 2023.
• Hotel revenue: Nearly AED45 billion with a 78% occupancy rate.
• Hotel guests in 2024: 30.75 million, meeting 77% of the 40 million annual target.
• H1 2025: Revenue surpassed AED26 billion, with over 16 million hotel guests, a 5.5% increase year-on-year.
• Total hotel establishments: 1,243 offering over 216,000 rooms; 16 new hotels launched in 2024.
• Projected 2025: 33 million hotel guests and 7% revenue growth.

Campaigns and global partnerships

The “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, now in its fifth edition, has contributed AED6.7 billion in total hotel revenues, reaching over 1.2 billion people globally and boosting hotel revenues by 90%.

Looking ahead, the UAE will host the UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit on 27 October 2025 in Dubai, gathering tourism ministers from 53 African countries to strengthen investment partnerships.

Tourism investments rose from AED28.8 billion in 2023 to AED32.2 billion in 2024, with projections of AED35.2 billion in 2025, underlining the UAE’s strategic vision to remain a top global tourism hub.