Tourism

The UAE has reiterated its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in tourism during the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting 2025, held in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The meeting brought together global leaders to address priority areas such as digital innovation, sustainable finance and investment, expanded air connectivity, and sector resilience.

Led by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, the UAE delegation highlighted the nation’s achievements in enhancing its tourism infrastructure, enacting flexible legislation, and investing in projects that support the sector’s global competitiveness.

H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that tourism remains a central pillar of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy and a key driver of the “We the UAE 2031” vision. He noted the sector’s growing contribution to GDP, rising visitor numbers, and the country’s strengthened role as a global hub for travel and tourism.

“The G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting serves as a strategic platform to support international efforts to advance the tourism sector,” said H.E. Bin Touq. “The UAE is committed to priorities such as AI and digital innovation, sustainable finance, expanded air connectivity, and resilience to ensure inclusive and comprehensive development.”

The UAE delegation underscored its efforts in embedding sustainability and digital transformation in national tourism policies. Among the initiatives highlighted was the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, launched last year under the theme ‘Green Tourism’, which promoted eco-tourism, agritourism, and sustainable travel experiences.

The Minister also stressed the importance of innovative financing solutions and strategic partnerships with development banks to drive sustainable growth. He pointed to the UAE’s investments in aviation networks, integrated transport systems, and digital travel solutions to strengthen global mobility and air connectivity.

The G20 discussions further focused on accelerating digital adoption and artificial intelligence for SMEs and startups, financing sustainable tourism projects, liberalizing markets, and building resilience against economic, climate, and health-related challenges.

UAE tourism sector records strong growth in 2025

The UAE’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to demonstrate robust performance. In the first half of 2025, the country welcomed more than 16 million hotel guests, a 5.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Hotel guest nights rose to 56 million, reflecting a 7.3 per cent growth, while the average stay length increased to 3.5 nights.

Revenues from hotel establishments reached over AED 26 billion in the first six months of the year, up 6.3 per cent from 2024. The average hotel occupancy rate stood at 80.5 per cent, reaffirming the UAE’s position among the world’s leading global tourism destinations.

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