The UAE’s tourism sector continued its robust progress trajectory within the first half of 2025, with lodge institution revenues surpassing AED26bn ($7.1bn), in keeping with Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economic system and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council.
Talking on the Council’s third assembly of the yr, Bin Touq mentioned the determine represents a 6.3 per cent improve in contrast with the identical interval final yr.
He added that the lodge occupancy fee reached 80.5 per cent, underscoring the resilience and competitiveness of the sector.
UAE tourism progress
Bin Touq highlighted that these outcomes assist the UAE Tourism Technique 2031, which goals to lift the sector’s contribution to the nationwide financial system to AED450bn ($122.5bn) by the subsequent decade.
He mentioned: “By way of the Emirates Tourism Council, we proceed our efforts to advertise sustainable tourism growth within the nation by fostering efficient partnerships between the private and non-private sectors and launching modern initiatives and tasks.
“These efforts not solely drive tourism progress but additionally create distinctive journey experiences, provide distinctive alternatives to Emirati skills, and strengthen our nationwide tourism identification on the worldwide stage.”
The meeting brought together the chairpersons and directors general of local tourism authorities across the UAE. Attendees reviewed new tourism initiatives designed to boost competitiveness, strengthen coordination with the non-public sector, and speed up the implementation of beforehand issued suggestions.
Preparations for the UAE-Africa Tourism Funding Summit, set to happen on October 27 as a part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World), had been additionally mentioned.
Ministers and senior officers from 53 African nations will attend, highlighting the UAE’s rising function as a world hub for tourism funding.
The summit will act as a platform to construct partnerships and discover joint alternatives in tourism infrastructure, sustainable hospitality, and specialised tourism merchandise, additional positioning the UAE as a trusted associate in connecting African and world markets.
Native tourism authorities additionally shared updates on achievements from the previous 9 months and outlined growth plans for 2026, together with initiatives geared toward reinforcing the UAE’s place as a number one regional and world vacation spot.
Bin Touq reiterated that underneath the steering of the nation’s management, tourism stays a strategic driver of non-oil GDP progress and a cornerstone of the UAE’s transition to a brand new, diversified financial mannequin.