UAE Ranks First in MENA Region and Jumps Seven Spots in Global Tourism & Travel Development Index 2024 by WEF

The UAE has once again proven its dominance in the global tourism industry, as it has been ranked first in the region and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024. This marks a significant climb of seven places from its 25th global ranking in 2019.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, highlighted the country’s exceptional performance in the tourism sector, attributing it to the forward-looking vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership. He emphasized that the UAE’s tourism achievements reflect its leading position in the global landscape and contribute to the targets set out in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.

The UAE’s success in strengthening its position as a top travel destination was commended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). She praised the country’s effective strategy in enhancing economic diversification and ensuring a safe and attractive environment for travelers.

The WEF report evaluates various factors and policies that contribute to sustainable development in the travel and tourism sector, with the UAE excelling in indicators such as travel and tourism data provision, air transport infrastructure, and overall policy and infrastructure. The country’s tourism sector saw significant growth in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and contributing significantly to the national GDP.

With ongoing efforts to enhance resilience and competitiveness in the tourism sector, the UAE is well on its way to achieving its vision of becoming the best tourist destination in the world by 2031.