The United Arab Emirates has positioned itself as the first country in the Middle East and has also taken the 18th place at an international level in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024. This recognition underscores the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its tourism sector and positioning itself as a premier global travel destination.
Aligned with the Tourism Strategy 2031, the UAE aims to attract AED 100 billion in tourism investments and welcome 40 million hotel guests annually. The country remains the only Middle Eastern nation among the top 10 in international tourism revenue. The strategy focuses on leveraging cultural heritage, modern infrastructure and diverse attractions to cement its status as a leading tourist hub.
Impressive Growth in Tourism Sector:
A report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlighted the UAE’s strong growth in international arrivals. The UAE has received around 29.2 million international tourists in 2023 with a growth of 15.5%.
Revenues from hotel establishments in the UAE reached AED 33.5 billion during the first nine months of 2024, up 4% from the same period in 2023. The average hotel occupancy rate across the seven emirates was at 77.8% hike. This hike is one of the highest in the world. Hotel nights reached approximately 75.5 million which is an 8% increase year on year.
‘The World’s Coolest Winter’ Campaign:
To further boost tourism, the UAE has launched the fifth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, themed ‘Green Tourism’. This initiative aims to showcase the country’s unique winter experiences by targeting both residents and international visitors.
The campaign highlights the UAE’s mild winter climate and a diverse range of outdoor activities including paragliding, desert camping, camel riding and stargazing. Tourists from colder regions are particularly drawn to the warm weather and adventure opportunities such as desert safaris, mountain hikes and wadi explorations.
With strategic initiatives and sustained investments, the UAE is on track to achieve its ambitious tourism targets by further solidifying its global presence in the travel industry.
