UAE Tourism Hits Record Dhs257 B GDP in 2024

The United Arab Emirates’ travel and tourism sector continues to stand as a shining example of resilience, innovation, and economic impact. According to a detailed report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 2024 saw the sector achieve record-breaking results, further positioning the UAE as a global leader in tourism. From remarkable GDP contributions to surging international visitor spending, the nation’s tourism strategy is delivering impressive outcomes while aligning with sustainability and diversification goals. The UAE’s forward-looking approach ensures that tourism remains a cornerstone of economic prosperity, job creation, and cultural promotion.

UAE Tourism’s Contribution to National GDP in 2024

In 2024, the UAE’s travel and tourism sector contributed Dhs257.3 billion to the national GDP, equivalent to $70.1 billion. This represented 13 percent of the overall economy and marked a 3.2 percent increase compared to 2023. Even more significantly, this figure reflected a 26 percent rise over 2019 levels, demonstrating one of the highest growth rates globally and regionally in terms of tourism’s contribution to economic development. These figures clearly highlight the sector’s crucial role in supporting the UAE’s vision of economic diversification and sustained prosperity.

Leadership Endorsement of Tourism Achievements

 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, praised the sector’s remarkable performance. He noted that the WTTC report underscored the strength, diversity, and resilience of the UAE’s national economy. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that international visitor spending exceeded Dhs217 billion in 2024, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching Dhs57 billion. He pointed out that the UAE ranked among the world’s top seven destinations for international tourist spending, surpassing countries with centuries-old tourism legacies. Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to welcoming tourists, attracting investors, embracing talent, and building a world-class environment for living, tourism, and visitation.

Strategic Vision and Government Commitment

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, emphasized that tourism sits at the heart of the UAE’s strategy for economic diversification and sustainable development. He credited proactive government initiatives and robust strategic tourism plans for positioning the UAE as a unique, attractive, and competitive global destination. Al Marri highlighted the vital role of investments in modern infrastructure, improvements in travel facilities, and enhancements to the overall visitor experience as drivers of the sector’s success. These investments have significantly strengthened the appeal of the UAE’s tourism-related offerings and supported the country’s elevated standing in global tourism rankings.

Alignment with UAE Tourism Strategy 2031

The 2024 achievements reported by the WTTC align seamlessly with the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. This comprehensive national plan aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to Dhs450 billion and to raise the number of hotel guests to 40 million annually by the next decade. Al Marri noted that national efforts continue to focus on developing an integrated tourism ecosystem guided by international best practices. These efforts are aimed at expanding tourism offerings, enhancing service quality, and creating enriching visitor experiences that cater to diverse global audiences. The vision, known as We the UAE 2031, is central to establishing the nation as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations in the years to come.

Diverse International Visitor Markets in 2024

The WTTC report highlighted the UAE’s success in attracting visitors from a wide range of global markets. In 2024, India contributed 14 percent of international visitors, followed by the United Kingdom and Russia with 8 percent each. China and Saudi Arabia each accounted for 5 percent of arrivals, while visitors from other regions made up 60 percent of total international arrivals. This broad geographical mix reflects the UAE’s strong global appeal and the success of inclusive, flexible tourism policies designed to welcome travelers from across the world.

International and Domestic Tourism Spending Trends

International visitor spending in the UAE reached Dhs217.3 billion, equivalent to $59.2 billion, in 2024. This marked a 5.8 percent increase compared to 2023 and a 30.4 percent rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Domestic tourism spending also grew significantly, reaching Dhs57.6 billion, or $15.7 billion, representing a 2.4 percent increase over 2023 and an impressive 41 percent growth compared to 2019. These figures highlight the balanced and resilient nature of the UAE’s tourism sector, driven by both international appeal and a strong domestic market. Projections for 2025 indicate further growth, with international visitor spending expected to rise by 5.2 percent to approximately Dhs228.5 billion. Domestic spending is anticipated to grow by 4.3 percent, reaching Dhs60 billion by year’s end.

Leisure and Business Tourism Composition

Leisure tourism continued to dominate the UAE’s tourism economy, accounting for 84.7 percent of total tourism expenditure in 2024. Business tourism contributed 15.3 percent, reflecting the UAE’s dual strength as both a leisure and business travel hub. This balance underscores the sector’s flexibility in catering to diverse visitor segments, from holidaymakers seeking unique experiences to corporate travelers attending conferences, exhibitions, and meetings. International visitors contributed 79 percent of total tourism expenditure, while domestic visitors accounted for 21 percent. These results highlight the enduring appeal of the UAE on the global stage and the growing significance of domestic tourism in supporting sector resilience.

Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Despite the rapid growth of the tourism sector, the UAE has remained firmly committed to environmental responsibility. The WTTC report revealed that tourism-related carbon emissions accounted for only 13.3 percent of the nation’s total emissions in 2023. This demonstrates the success of national strategies aimed at integrating sustainable practices across the tourism landscape. The UAE’s continued focus on responsible tourism development ensures that sector growth aligns with broader environmental goals and supports the country’s long-term ecological balance.

Socio-Economic Contributions of the Tourism Sector

The UAE’s tourism sector plays an important role in advancing social inclusion and economic opportunity. Women represented 16.3 percent of direct employment in the travel and tourism sector in 2023, while youth aged 15 to 24 made up 9.7 percent of the workforce. These figures reflect the sector’s growing role in empowering women and young people, while creating diverse career paths. In fiscal terms, the sector generated $8.6 billion in tax revenues in 2023, accounting for 5.4 percent of total government revenues. This underscores tourism’s significance not just as a source of economic growth, but as a vital contributor to the country’s public finances.

UAE’s Role in the Context of Global Tourism Growth

The UAE’s tourism achievements in 2024 align with broader global trends. According to the WTTC, the global travel and tourism sector contributed $10.9 trillion to world GDP in 2024, representing 10 percent of the global economy. This reflected an 8.5 percent increase compared to 2023 and a 6 percent rise from 2019 levels. The sector is expected to reach $11.7 trillion in 2025, which would mark a 6.7 percent increase over 2024 and a 13 percent rise over 2019. Globally, travel and tourism supported 356.6 million jobs in 2024, accounting for 10.6 percent of total employment. This represented a 6.2 percent rise compared to 2023 and a 5.6 percent increase over 2019. These global figures position the UAE as a key player in an industry that continues to drive economic recovery, job creation, and sustainable development worldwide.