Dubai, UAE — July 1, 2025- The UAE tourism industry is celebrating a year like never before. In 2024, it made a huge mark on the country’s economy. Travel and tourism brought in AED 257.3 billion, which is about $70 billion. This is a new record for the UAE tourism revenue and means the sector now makes up 13% of the country’s total economy.
The UAE tourism industry is now among the top seven in the world for how much of international visitors spend. This is a big deal for a country that has been building its tourism sector for just a few decades. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, praised the achievement. He said the UAE has surpassed countries that have been in the tourism business for centuries.
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How the UAE Tourism Industry Keeps Growing
Growth in the UAE tourism industry did not happen overnight. It comes from smart planning and big investments. In 2024, the sector grew by 3.2% compared to the year before. It is also 26% higher than the pre-pandemic year of 2019. This shows the UAE tourism revenue is not just bouncing back but setting new highs.
International visitors spent over AED 217 billion last year. This is up 5.8% from 2023 and 30% more than in 2019. Domestic travelers also spent more. Their spending reached AED 57.6 billion, which is 41% higher than in 2019.
Hotels in the UAE had a great year too. Hotel revenues hit AED 45 billion in 2024, up 3% from the year before. Hotel rooms and the number of hotels also grew. The country now has 1,251 hotels with nearly 217,000 rooms. Hotel occupancy rates reached 78%, one of the best in the world.
Who Visits the UAE and What They Spend On
The UAE tourism industry attracts people from all over the world. The top countries sending visitors in 2024 were India, the UK, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. Together, these countries made up about 40% of visitors. The rest came from other places around the globe.
Leisure travel is the main reason people visit. In 2024, leisure tourism made up almost 85% of all spending. Business travel made up about 15%. This shows the UAE is a top spot for both fun and work trips.
Nearly 80% of the UAE tourism revenue came from international visitors. The rest came from locals traveling inside the country. This mix helps the industry stay strong and grow every year.
The UAE is also making sure tourism growth does not harm the environment. In 2023, tourism made up just over 13% of the country’s carbon emissions. The sector also gives jobs to many people. It supported nearly 900,000 jobs in 2024, which is about one in every eight jobs in the country.
Women and young people are also part of the workforce. Women made up 16% of tourism jobs, and youth made up almost 10%. The industry also brought in $8.6 billion in tax revenue, which is about 5% of all government income.
The UAE tourism industry is not slowing down. The government has a plan called the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. The goal is to raise the sector’s contribution to AED 450 billion and welcome 40 million hotel guests every year by the next decade.
Experts say the UAE tourism revenue will keep rising. In 2025, international visitor spending is expected to reach a new record. The sector will likely support more than 925,000 jobs. The country is investing in new attractions, smart cities, and better services to keep visitors coming.
The UAE tourism industry is now a model for the world. It shows how vision and hard work can turn a country into a top travel destination. With strong leadership and smart plans, the UAE is set to stay at the top of global tourism for years to come
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