The United Arab Emirates has firmly cemented its position as a global tourism powerhouse, according to a new report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which revealed that the UAE tourism sector delivered an outstanding performance in 2024. Contributing AED257.3 billion (US$70.1 billion) to the national GDP — equivalent to 13% of the total economy — the sector posted a 3.2% increase over 2023 and an impressive 26% growth compared to 2019, placing the UAE among the fastest-growing tourism economies worldwide.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, hailed the milestone, noting that the UAE is now ranked among the world’s top seven destinations for international tourist spending — surpassing countries with centuries of experience in the tourism industry. “We welcome tourists, delight in attracting investors, embrace talent, and build the best environment for living, tourism, and visitation. Welcome to the world,” he stated.

Strategic Vision Driving Sustainable Growth

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, credited the sector’s success to a national strategy focused on diversification, infrastructure investment, and international appeal. “These achievements reaffirm the wisdom of our leadership’s vision in enhancing the competitiveness of our tourism sector,” he said, pointing to recent milestones such as the appointment of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The WTTC report echoed this sentiment, citing robust improvements in tourism infrastructure, increased engagement with key global markets, and a growing range of culturally rich and immersive experiences across all seven emirates.

Tourism Spending Hits Historic Highs

International visitor spending in the UAE reached AED217.3 billion (US$59.2 billion) in 2024 — a 5.8% rise from 2023 and a 30.4% leap over 2019 figures. Domestically, tourism also thrived, with spending hitting AED57.6 billion (US$15.7 billion), up 2.4% from the previous year and a remarkable 41% surge over pre-pandemic levels.

Projections for 2025 indicate further growth: international tourism spending is expected to climb to AED228.5 billion (+5.2%), while domestic tourism spending is forecast to rise to AED60 billion (+4.3%).

Leisure Leads the Way

Leisure tourism continued to dominate the UAE’s tourism landscape in 2024, accounting for 84.7% of total travel and tourism expenditure. Business travel made up 15.3%, highlighting the sector’s flexibility in meeting both recreational and corporate travel demands. Notably, 79% of all spending came from international visitors, reinforcing the UAE’s global appeal, while 21% was driven by domestic tourists.

Key international markets included India (14%), the United Kingdom and Russia (8% each), China and Saudi Arabia (5% each), with the remaining 60% of visitors coming from a diverse global base.

Sustainability and Inclusion at the Core

Despite rapid growth, the UAE has remained committed to its environmental goals. In 2023, carbon emissions from tourism accounted for just 13.3% of the country’s total emissions — a testament to the nation’s sustainability-driven tourism model.

On the social front, the sector is also playing a transformative role: women made up 16.3% of the direct tourism workforce in 2023, while youth (ages 15–24) represented 9.7%, reflecting the industry’s growing role in empowering future generations and supporting gender inclusion.

Tourism as an Economic Engine

The sector also made a significant fiscal contribution, generating US$8.6 billion in tax revenue in 2023 — representing 5.4% of the UAE’s total government revenues. These financial gains underscore tourism’s importance not just as a growth industry but as a critical pillar of the national economy.

Looking ahead, the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to further boost the sector’s GDP contribution to AED450 billion and attract 40 million hotel guests annually. This aligns with the broader national development agenda — We the UAE 2031 — focused on sustainability, innovation, and global leadership.

A Bright Future in a Booming Global Landscape

Globally, the WTTC report showed the travel and tourism sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2024, or 10% of global GDP — an 8.5% increase from 2023. This is expected to grow to US$11.7 trillion in 2025, with tourism poised to play an even greater role in economic recovery and expansion.

Worldwide, the sector supported 356.6 million jobs in 2024, equivalent to 10.6% of total global employment, marking a 6.2% increase over 2023 and 5.6% over 2019.

For the UAE, these numbers reaffirm its status as not just a regional leader, but a global beacon in travel and tourism — where tradition meets innovation, and hospitality drives a forward-looking economy.