United Arab Emirates Ranked Among Top 7 Global Destinations for Tourist Expenditures
The UAE's tourism sector sailed through 2024 like a storm, smashing records and contributing a whopping AED257.3 billion (US$70.1 billion) to the national GDP, accounting for a muscular 13% of the country's economy. The latest report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) put the UAE in the big leagues of global tourism powerhouses, showing a 3.2% jump from 2023 and a staggering 26% increase over 2019.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ever the cheerleader, lauded the sector's accomplishments, calling the results a testament to the UAE's resilience and global charm. International tourist spending peaked at AED217.3 billion, with domestic tourism expenditure climbing to AED57.6 billion, cementing the UAE's standing as one of the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending.
Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri attributed the success to the UAE's smart tourism strategies and hefty infrastructure investments throughout the seven emirates. These initiatives, part of the larger goal to boost tourism's GDP contribution to AED450 billion and hit 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031, have been a game-changer.
The report shed light on the UAE's mixed bag of tourists, with India, the UK, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia leading the charge. International tourists contributed 79% of the tourism expenditure, with leisure tourism ruling the roost. Sustainability was also a priority, with tourism-related emissions making up just 13.3% of national carbon output, in line with the UAE's environmental targets. The sector also left a social footprint, creating jobs for many women and youth and contributing over US$8.6 billion in tax revenues.
On a global scale, the travel and tourism sector powered up the world economy with a hefty US$10.9 trillion in 2024. The UAE stood tall as a poster child of post-pandemic recovery and strategic growth.
Enrichment Insights: The UAE's impressive tourism growth comes from strategic investments in infrastructure, economic diversification, and a range of visitor-friendly policies, such as simplified entry requirements for more than 80 nationalities [3]. The UAE also targets a wide variety of markets, including India, the UK, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia [2]. These strategic approaches align with the UAE Vision 2031, which aims to establish the country as a leading global destination by the next decade [2].
- The UAE's tourism sector has been a major contributor to its economy, accounting for 13% of the country's GDP in 2024, a testament to its strategic investments and visitor-friendly policies.
- The diverse demographic of tourists visiting the UAE, led by India, the UK, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, has boosted the nation's tourism expenditure significantly, with international tourists contributing 79% of the total.
- The UAE has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability in the tourism sector, keeping tourism-related emissions at just 13.3% of national carbon output, aligning with its environmental targets.
- By creating job opportunities for women and youth, and contributing over US$8.6 billion in tax revenues, the UAE's tourism industry has made a significant social impact, contributing to the country's overall sustainability and lifestyle goals.
