UAE Tourism Sector Posts Strong Growth in 2025

ABU DHABI, December 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The United Arab Emirates’ tourism sector recorded strong growth in 2025, with the industry contributing AED 257.3 billion to gross domestic product, equivalent to 13% of the national economy, according to official data.

Hotel establishments received 23.27 million guests in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 4.9% compared with the same period in 2024, while total hotel nights exceeded 79.3 million. Hotel revenues rose 7.2% to more than AED 35.9 billion.

Average hotel occupancy reached 79.2%, with the number of occupied rooms rising 3.5% to 46.17 million. The average daily room rate increased 4.2% to AED 557, supported by a total capacity of 216,248 rooms across 1,246 hotel establishments.

The aviation sector also reported strong performance, with Abu Dhabi Airports, Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport handling a combined 108.59 million passengers by the end of September.

Several large-scale tourism projects were launched or announced during the year, including the AED 2 billion Therme Dubai wellness destination, the Butterfly Sanctuary in Abu Dhabi, the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, the Avani+ Fujairah Resort scheduled for 2028, the AED 3.5 billion Al Tay Hills project in Sharjah, the second phase of the Umm Al Qaiwain Creek Waterfront, and a Disney theme park and resort planned for Yas Island.

In February, the fifth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign concluded under the theme “Green Tourism,” generating nearly AED 1.9 billion in hotel revenues, an increase of 86.9%, and attracting more than 4.4 million guests, up 62% from the previous edition. The campaign reached 224.7 million people worldwide.

On the international stage, the UAE renewed its membership on the Executive Council of UN Tourism for the 2025–2029 term.

In a separate milestone, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais was elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term, becoming the first woman to hold the position since the organisation’s establishment.

Among other developments in 2025, Masfout village was named “Best Tourism Village in the World 2025,” while the UAE ranked among the world’s top seven destinations for international tourism spending.