Industry News & Insights

The UAE’s tourism sector demonstrated robust growth in the first half of 2025, with hotel revenues reaching AED 26 billion ($7.1 billion). This represents a 6.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. Hotel occupancy rates stood at 80.5 percent, highlighting the sector’s strong performance and competitiveness.

These results align with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy to AED 450 billion ($122.5 billion) by 2031. The Emirates Tourism Council continues to promote sustainable tourism development through partnerships between the public and private sectors, launching innovative initiatives aimed at boosting tourism growth, enhancing travel experiences, supporting Emirati talent, and strengthening the UAE’s global tourism identity.

During the Council’s third meeting of the year, chairpersons and directors general of local tourism authorities reviewed new initiatives designed to improve competitiveness, enhance collaboration with the private sector, and expedite the implementation of prior recommendations. Discussions also included preparations for the upcoming UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit, scheduled for October 27 as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World). The summit will bring together ministers and senior officials from 53 African countries to explore opportunities for partnership in tourism infrastructure, sustainable hospitality, and specialized tourism products, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for tourism investment.

Local tourism authorities shared progress updates from the past nine months and outlined development plans for 2026, including initiatives aimed at solidifying the UAE’s status as a leading destination regionally and globally. Tourism remains a key driver of non-oil GDP growth and a central element of the UAE’s strategy to diversify its economy under the leadership of the country.