The United Arab Emirates has secured the sixth-highest ranking globally for international tourism receipts, generating $51.9 billion in 2023 — a landmark result confirmed by UN Tourism's May 2024 World Tourism Barometer. The achievement marks a dramatic improvement in the UAE's global tourism standing, underlining the country's rapid emergence as a premier travel destination.
UAE Climbs Global Tourism Receipt Rankings
The UAE's $51.9 billion in international tourism receipts places it firmly among the world's top earning destinations. The five countries ahead of the UAE are the United States ($176 billion), Spain ($92 billion), the United Kingdom ($74 billion), France ($69 billion), and Italy ($56 billion).
Other competitive markets in the rankings include Turkey, Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Macao SAR (China), India, and Mexico — all vying for position in an increasingly competitive global tourism landscape.
Notable Post-Pandemic Ranking Shifts
The 2023 data also highlights significant movement elsewhere in the rankings. The United Kingdom climbed from fifth to third place, while Turkey advanced sharply from twelfth to seventh. These shifts reflect the uneven pace of recovery and investment across global tourism markets.
On the spending side, China emerged as the world's leading source of international tourism expenditure, with Chinese travelers investing $196.5 billion in overseas tourism during 2023.
Global Tourism Recovery Reaches 89% of Pre-Pandemic Levels
Visitor numbers are also rebounding strongly. France led all destinations in 2023 with 100 million international arrivals, followed by Spain (85 million), the United States (66 million), Italy (57 million), and Turkey (55 million).
Overall, global international tourism recovered to 89% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with projections suggesting a full return to 2019 figures by 2024. Worldwide international inbound tourism generated $1.695 trillion in export earnings across the year, approaching pre-COVID-19 totals as demand strengthens and air connectivity expands.
UAE's Tourism Growth Strategy
The UAE's rise in international tourism receipts reflects years of strategic investment in world-class infrastructure, events, and destination marketing. Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to attract high-spending international visitors, while initiatives such as Expo 2020's legacy projects and expanded airline capacity have broadened the country's global appeal.
The May 2024 World Tourism Barometer data cements the UAE's position as one of the world's most valuable tourism economies — and sets a strong baseline for further growth as the sector moves toward full post-pandemic recovery.
