The United Arab Emirates has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations after achieving remarkable growth across travel, hospitality, and aviation in 2024. According to official figures, the sector contributed AED257.3 billion ($70.1 billion) to the national economy, representing 13% of GDP — a 3.2% increase from 2023 and an impressive 26% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The announcement comes ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, with Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, highlighting these achievements as key milestones in the UAE’s long-term economic vision.
Tourism Strategy and Global Recognition
A major highlight of 2024 was the launch of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, aimed at further boosting the country’s global competitiveness and diversifying tourism offerings. Another landmark came with Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais’s election as the first Emirati to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the 2026–2029 term, a historic moment reflecting the UAE’s rising influence on the international tourism stage.
Visitor Spending and Hospitality Records
Tourist spending has been at the heart of the surge. International visitors spent AED217.3 billion ($59.2 billion) in 2024, up 5.8% from 2023 and more than 30% higher than 2019 levels. Domestic tourism also performed strongly, contributing AED57.6 billion ($15.7 billion), a 2.4% annual increase and 41% higher than pre-pandemic.
The hospitality sector mirrored this boom. Hotel revenues reached nearly AED45 billion ($12.3 billion) in 2024, with an average occupancy rate of 78% — one of the highest in the world. The UAE welcomed 30.75 million hotel guests, up 9.5% from 28.08 million in 2023, fulfilling 77% of its national target of 40 million annual visitors.
Momentum has carried into 2025, with the first half of the year already welcoming 16 million hotel guests, up 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Hotel revenues in H1 2025 touched AED26 billion ($7.1 billion), a 6.3% rise, while the number of operating hotels increased to 1,243, offering more than 216,000 rooms.
Aviation as a Growth Engine
Aviation remains central to the UAE’s tourism dominance. Passenger traffic through UAE airports surpassed 1 billion between 2015 and 2024, with aircraft movements crossing 6.4 million. International visitor arrivals nearly doubled in a decade, from 15 million in 2014 to more than 29 million in 2024.
In just the first eight months of 2025, UAE airports handled 102.9 million passengers, a 5.3% rise year-on-year, underscoring the country’s vital role as a global air travel hub.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also recently approved the AED128 billion ($34.8 billion) passenger terminal expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the world’s largest airport with a capacity of 260 million passengers.
Investment and Global Partnerships
Tourism-related investments rose sharply, from AED28.8 billion ($7.8 billion) in 2023 to AED32.2 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2024, with projections of AED35.2 billion ($9.6 billion) for 2025. Campaigns such as the “World’s Coolest Winter” initiative further boosted growth, generating around AED6.7 billion ($1.8 billion) in hotel revenues over five editions and reaching 1.2 billion people globally.
The UAE is also building stronger global ties. On October 27, 2025, Dubai will host the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit as part of the Future Hospitality Summit, welcoming tourism ministers and officials from 53 African nations to explore partnerships and opportunities.
A Global Tourism Powerhouse
The UAE’s tourism journey has transformed the nation into one of the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending. The country has consistently ranked among the highest in aviation competitiveness indicators, particularly in the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure index.
With projections suggesting 33 million hotel guests in 2025 and a 7% year-on-year growth in revenues, the UAE is set to continue its upward trajectory, reaffirming its global status as a tourism leader.
