UAE tourism sector hits record growth in 2025 with Dh49.21bn revenue surge
Hotel occupancy and nights highlight sustained demand throughout last year
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has reviewed the Emirates Tourism Council’s report outlining the sector’s performance in 2025.
The update highlighted sustained expansion across key indicators, reflecting continued global demand and strong national competitiveness.
The tourism sector maintained steady momentum across visitor arrivals, revenues and infrastructure growth.
Visitor surge
Hotel establishments welcomed more than 32 million guests in 2025, marking a 5.1 percent increase compared to 2024. This rise reflects growing international and domestic travel demand, supported by diversified tourism offerings across the Emirates.
Revenue rise
Tourism revenues climbed to Dh49.21 billion, up 9.7 percent year-on-year. The sector’s financial performance was underpinned by strong occupancy levels and increased spending across hospitality services.
Capacity growth
The UAE’s hotel capacity expanded to 217,000 rooms across more than 1,240 establishments, with occupancy reaching 79.5 percent.
Hotel nights also totalled 100 million, while the country ranked first in MENA and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024.