The UAE’s tourism sector is on a trajectory of growth and prosperity, with significant contributions to the country’s economy. In 2023, the sector contributed Dh220 billion to the gross domestic product, accounting for 11.7% of the overall economy. This upward trend is expected to continue in 2024, with projections indicating a rise to Dh236 billion, representing 12% of the GDP. The UAE’s Tourism Strategy aims to further elevate the sector’s contribution to Dh450 billion by 2031.
Khaled Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, highlighted the country’s ambitions to attract new investments worth Dh100 billion and welcome 40 million guests to the country’s hotels by 2031. The upcoming unified GCC visa is expected to enhance the region’s appeal as a connected destination, boosting accessibility and driving key performance indicators such as length of stay, average spend, and employment opportunities.
The tourism sector in the UAE is a significant job creator, with an expected 833,000 jobs to be generated in 2024. Currently, there are 1,235 hotels in the UAE providing a total of 210,000 rooms. The World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2024 Economic Impact Research report highlighted the sector’s growth, with over 809,000 jobs supported by the UAE tourism sector, representing one in nine jobs in the country.
Dubai, a key player in the UAE’s tourism landscape, is set to see the opening of 31 new hotels in 2024, adding to the existing 16 hotels. By the end of 2025, Dubai is projected to have a total of 867 hotels, with 150,291 rooms currently available. In the first quarter of 2024, Dubai attracted 5.18 million international visitors, showcasing the city’s enduring appeal as a top global tourism destination.
The UAE’s efforts in the tourism sector have not gone unnoticed, as the country ranked first in the MENA region and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index for 2024. The index evaluates 119 economies based on various factors, including the enabling environment, travel and tourism policy, infrastructure, resources, and sustainability.
With a strategic vision and commitment to enhancing the travel and tourism sector, the UAE is poised to continue setting benchmarks for the global industry. The sector’s remarkable growth in employment and visitor spending underscores the importance of sustainable and inclusive strategies in driving prosperity and economic growth.