MENA Newswire News Desk: The UAE’s tourism sector is showing strong growth, in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets AED100 billion in investments and seeks to boost the sector’s GDP contribution to AED450 billion by 2031. The UAE’s ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure has paid off, with international tourist arrivals and hotel bookings hitting record numbers.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the UAE’s tourism sector contributed 11.7 percent to the nation’s GDP in 2023, equating to AED220 billion. This contribution is expected to increase to 12 percent, or AED236 billion, by the end of 2024. The WTTC further forecasts that the sector will add AED275.2 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2034.
Dubai has been a key driver of this growth, with 10.62 million tourists visiting the city in the first seven months of 2024, marking an 8 percent increase year-on-year. Abu Dhabi also experienced significant growth, with 2.87 million hotel guests in the first half of 2024, generating AED3.6 billion, a 19.5 percent increase over the previous year.
The UAE’s success in tourism can be attributed to its world-class infrastructure, which includes airports, luxury accommodations, and a variety of tourist attractions. This, combined with the country’s diverse and sustainable tourism policies, has helped the sector thrive. The UAE’s commitment to developing new attractions and enhancing its tourism infrastructure ensures it remains a top destination for travelers from around the globe.
This aligns with the broader goals set under the National Tourism Strategy 2031. As the UAE continues to implement its strategic tourism initiatives, it is expected to see further growth in both investment and visitor numbers, cementing its position as a global tourism hub.