Topic
UAE tourism
Stories tagged UAE tourism
Ajman Tourism Hits 52% International Visitor Milestone
Ajman has crossed a major tourism milestone, with international visitors now making up 52 per cent of all arrivals. Officials credit years of investment in marketing, infrastructure and diversification under Ajman Vision 2030 for the emirate's rising global appeal.
9 Jun 2026
Ras Al Khaimah Breaks Tourism Record with 1.35M Visitors
Ras Al Khaimah posted its strongest tourism year on record in 2025, welcoming 1.35 million overnight visitors — a 6% rise — while revenues jumped 12%. With the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort opening in 2027 and a target of 3.5 million visitors by 2030, the emirate's rise is far
15 May 2026
Aquaventure World Free Tickets: Buy One Share One Deal
Aquaventure World at Atlantis The Palm has launched a Buy One Get One Free promotion giving UAE residents and visitors a second ticket at no cost. The "Buy One. Share One." offer runs from April 20 to June 30, 2026, covering waterpark entry, the Lost World Aquarium, Dolphin Bay
6 May 2026
UAE Tourists Can Open a Bank Account on Arrival
The UAE's Tourist Identity initiative lets non-resident visitors open a digital bank account within minutes of arriving, using biometric technology and the ADCB mobile app — no traditional documentation required.
30 Apr 2026
Wynn Al Marjan Island: UAE's First Casino Reshapes Travel
Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah holds the UAE's first commercial gaming license and is targeting a March 2027 opening. With 1,530 rooms, 24 restaurants, and a 225,000 sq ft gaming floor, it's already reshaping international travel plans near Dubai.
29 Mar 2026
Sharjah Safari Park: The Surprise Near Dubai
Sharjah Safari Park in Al Dhaid is the largest safari park outside Africa, just an hour from Dubai. With 50,000 animals across 120 species and 12 African-themed zones, it's one of the UAE's most surprising day trips.
28 Mar 2026
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: 1.7M Ramadan Visitors
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomed nearly 1.7 million visitors during Ramadan and Eid 2026 — 510,046 worshippers, 980,010 iftar guests, and 205,642 general visitors — cementing its place as the UAE's most-visited landmark of the holy month.
24 Mar 2026
Disneyland Abu Dhabi Confirmed on Yas Island
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is no longer a rumor. Disney and Miral have officially confirmed a full theme park and resort on Yas Island — Disney's seventh global destination and its first in the Middle East, expected to open in the early 2030s.
22 Mar 2026
Dubai Hotels Ordered to Extend Stays for Stranded Tourists
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism has instructed hotels across the emirate to extend stays for guests stranded by flight disruptions — under their original booking terms, with no evictions permitted. The General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed it will cover
2 Mar 2026
What to Pack for Dubai in March: Full Packing List
Dubai in March offers daytime temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, making it one of the best months to visit. Here is a complete packing list — from breathable clothing and sun protection to swimwear and modest cover-ups for cultural sites.
21 Feb 2026
Travel Trends 2026 UAE: Innovation, Culture & Wellness
Travel in 2026 is evolving fast across the UAE. Destinations are more immersive, technology is changing how we move, and cultural calendars are packed with experiences built for modern travellers. From food-led adventures and wellness escapes to futuristic transport and major
16 Feb 2026
Dubai Keeps Filling Flights as Gen Z Travel Spending Holds
Klook's 2026 Travel Pulse report finds 88% of Millennials and Gen Z keeping or increasing travel budgets this year. Dubai benefits directly through strong flight connectivity, high AI-planning adoption, and growing demand for wellness and cultural experiences among younger
12 Feb 2026
Dubai Visa for EU Residents: Online Guide 2026
Travelling from Europe to Dubai is easier than ever in 2026. Applying for a Dubai visa as an EU resident is now a fully online process with quick approvals and minimal paperwork. This guide covers visa types, eligibility, required documents, fees, and processing times.
25 Jan 2026
UAE Women Visa Applications Hit Record 45.5% in 2025
In 2025, women accounted for 45.5% of all UAE visa applications — up from 34.5% in 2024. Safety, economic opportunity, and government support for gender equality are turning the UAE into a top destination for female professionals, entrepreneurs, and Gen Z careerists worldwide.
6 Jan 2026
UAE Tourism Hits Dhs257bn in 2025, Breaks Visitor Records
UAE tourism in 2025 contributed Dhs257.3 billion to the national economy — 13% of GDP — while hotels welcomed 23.27 million guests in the first nine months alone, revenues surged 7.2%, and the UAE secured historic global leadership at UN Tourism.
21 Dec 2025
UAE Tourism GDP Hits $70.1 Billion in 2024
The UAE's tourism sector contributed AED257.3 billion ($70.1 billion) to the national economy in 2024 — 13% of GDP — surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 26% and ranking the country among the world's top seven destinations for international visitor spending.
29 Sep 2025
Disney Abu Dhabi Theme Park: Miral to Build on Yas Island
The Walt Disney Company and Miral have announced plans to build a Disney theme park resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi — marking Disney's seventh global resort and its first presence in the Middle East.
7 May 2025
Dnata Travel and MMPRC Launch Maldives UAE Campaign
The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has partnered with dnata Travel to offer UAE residents exclusive Maldives holiday packages for the 2025 summer season. Running April to July 2025, the campaign delivers curated deals across dnata Travel's digital and
3 May 2025
Best Short Flights from UAE for an Eid Getaway
Planning short flights from UAE for an Eid getaway? Several superb destinations sit within five hours of Dubai or Abu Dhabi — from Seychelles' white-sand beaches and Nairobi's wildlife to Georgia's mountain scenery and Egypt's ancient wonders.
27 Mar 2025
UAE Leads Global Winter Tourism With 29M Visitors
The UAE welcomed 29.2 million international visitors in 2024, a 15.5% jump year-on-year, and ranked 18th globally in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index — cementing its status as the Middle East's top winter tourism destination.
3 Feb 2025
UAE Hotel Revenue Hits $9.1B in First Nine Months of 2024
UAE hotel revenue reached AED 33.5 billion ($9.1 billion) in the first nine months of 2024, up 4% year-on-year, with a 77.8% average occupancy rate and 75.5 million hotel nights recorded across the seven emirates.
13 Dec 2024
Visa Rejections Spike for Indian Travelers
New UAE emigration rules have pushed Dubai visa rejection rates for Indian tourists from 1–2% to 5–6%. Applicants must now submit QR-coded hotel bookings, return tickets, and proof of funds upfront — and travel agents say even complete applications are being denied.
11 Dec 2024
Ajman Tourism Kicks Off China Roadshow Across Three Cities
Ajman Tourism Development Department has launched a promotional roadshow across China's key cities — Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing — running until October 26, 2024. Led by Director General H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, the tour aims to sign MOUs, build partnerships, and
21 Oct 2024
UAE Travelers Choose Slow Travel and Solo Holidays
A growing shift toward slow travel and solo holidays is reshaping tourism from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with 82% of UAE travelers spending longer in one destination and 75% having traveled alone in the past year, according to new survey data.
5 Oct 2024
Sharjah Hits 1 Million Hotel Guests in 8 Months of 2024
Sharjah's hotel sector recorded 1,057,307 guests in the first eight months of 2024 — up 3.07% from 2023 — with hotel occupancy averaging 66%, according to the Sharjah Tourism and Hospitality Sector Performance Indicator. Russia led all source markets with 21% of visitors
28 Sep 2024
Dubai Is TikTok's #1 Travel Destination in 2024
Dubai has been crowned TikTok's most-watched travel destination of 2024, racking up 29.7 million posts according to Bounce's 2024 TikTok Travel Index. The UAE city easily outpaced London (10.3M), Paris (8.8M), Istanbul (8.1M), and New York (7.2M).
1 Aug 2024
Japan Visa for Dubai Residents: VFS Global Takes Over
From August 1, VFS Global handles all Japan visa applications for Dubai residents — replacing direct Consulate-General appointments. Short and long-term paper visas are included, e-visa services resume in September, and processing takes roughly eight working days.
31 Jul 2024
UAE Boosts Tourism Ties at BRICS Meeting in Moscow
UAE Minister of Economy and Emirates Tourism Council Chairman Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri led the UAE delegation at the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Moscow, held under Russia's 2024 BRICS chairmanship. The UAE pushed for expanded air connectivity, digital tourism
23 Jun 2024
UAE Ranks 6th Globally in Tourism Receipts with $51.9bn
The UAE has climbed to 6th place globally for international tourism receipts, earning $51.9 billion in 2023 — a dramatic rise up the rankings according to UN Tourism's May 2024 World Tourism Barometer.
5 Jun 2024
Dubai Mall's $408M Expansion Adds 240 New Stores
Dubai Mall, the world's most-visited attraction with 105 million visitors in 2023, is set for a major AED 1.5 billion ($408M) expansion by Emaar Properties. The new phase adds 240 luxury retail shops and dining outlets, with contractors already on-site.
4 Jun 2024
New GCC Visa Opens Free Travel Across 6 Gulf States
GCC residents and tourists have reason to celebrate: a Schengen-style unified tourist visa, approved unanimously at the 40th GCC Interior Ministers meeting in Oman, will allow seamless travel across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait on a single permit.
21 May 2024