Dubai’s tourism boom: UAE among top 7 for global tourist spending
International visitors spent Dh217.3 billion in the Emirates last year
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending, according to a new report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The report reveals the UAE’s travel and tourism sector generated an impressive Dh257.3 billion (US$70.1 billion) in 2024, accounting for 13% of the country’s total GDP.
This marks a 3.2% increase from 2023 and a significant 26% surge compared to 2019 – one of the highest growth rates worldwide and within the region. The findings place the UAE at the forefront of global tourism performance, as international and domestic travellers continue to flock to the Emirates.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, commended the record-breaking performance. He noted that “international visitor spending exceeded Dh217 billion last year, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching Dh57 billion,” adding that the UAE had outpaced many long-established tourism markets.
في مؤشر جديد على قوة وتنوع اقتصادنا الوطني .. أشار تقرير المجلس العالمي للسفر والسياحة إلى انجازات استثنائية لقطاع السياحة الإماراتي .. حيث بلغ إجمالي انفاق الزوار الدوليين أكثر من 217 مليار درهم خلال العام السابق … بالإضافة لإنفاق سياحي محلي بلغ 57 مليار درهم …
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) June 26, 2025
دولة الإمارات…
“We welcome tourists, delight in attracting investors, embrace talent, and build the best environment for living, tourism, and visitation. Welcome to the world,” he further stated.
Strategic vision
Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, highlighted the strategic policies behind the UAE’s tourism success. He credited the growth to forward-thinking tourism plans that reinforce the sector as a pillar of economic diversification and sustainable development.
Initiatives include major upgrades in infrastructure across all seven emirates, increased investor interest in tourism-linked projects, and the promotion of the UAE’s cultural and experiential diversity. Enhancements in airport and travel facilities have also played a central role in supporting growth.
Al Marri noted that the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation was a landmark achievement for the sector, stating: “Today’s WTTC results reaffirm the wisdom of our leadership’s vision in enhancing the competitiveness of our tourism sector, creating employment opportunities for Emiratis, and further cementing our position as a global tourism powerhouse.”
Strong visitor numbers
The UAE continued to attract a diverse global audience in 2024, with key source markets including India (14%), the United Kingdom (8%), Russia (8%), China (5%), and Saudi Arabia (5%). The remaining 60% comprised visitors from other regions, underscoring the UAE’s broad global appeal.
International visitor spending totalled Dh217.3 billion (US$59.2 billion), up 5.8% from 2023 and 30.4% higher than in 2019. Domestic tourism also posted robust figures, reaching Dh57.6 billion (US$15.7 billion), an increase of 2.4% over 2023 and 41% above pre-pandemic levels.
The WTTC projects that international visitor spending in the UAE will rise to Dh228.5 billion in 2025, while domestic spending is expected to reach Dh60 billion, reflecting growth rates of 5.2% and 4.3% respectively.
Sector composition
In 2024, leisure travel dominated the tourism market, comprising 84.7% of total expenditure. Business tourism accounted for the remaining 15.3%. Overall, 79% of tourism spending was by international visitors, while domestic travellers contributed 21%.
The report also confirmed the UAE’s commitment to environmentally responsible tourism. Despite the tourism sector’s rapid expansion, emissions linked to tourism activity made up just 13.3% of the country’s total carbon output in 2023. This highlights the sector’s alignment with national sustainability objectives.
Social and economic impact
The WTTC report also shed light on the social impact of the tourism boom. Women accounted for 16.3% of the travel and tourism workforce in the UAE in 2023. Young people aged 15 to 24 represented 9.7% of total employment in the sector, reflecting efforts to empower the next generation and enhance gender inclusion.
In fiscal terms, the sector contributed US$8.6 billion in tax revenues to the UAE government in 2023, representing 5.4% of total public income. This financial impact signals tourism’s rising significance in supporting national development goals.
Global tourism trends
Globally, the travel and tourism industry added US$10.9 trillion to world GDP in 2024, equivalent to 10% of the global economy. This was up 8.5% from 2023 and 6% from 2019.
The WTTC anticipates this figure to reach US$11.7 trillion in 2025 – a projected growth of 6.7% from 2024 and 13% over 2019, further highlighting the sustained recovery and upward trajectory of the global tourism sector.
The industry also saw strong employment gains, creating 356.6 million jobs worldwide in 2024. This represents 10.6% of total global employment and marks a 6.2% rise from 2023 and a 5.6% increase compared to 2019.
As the UAE continues to align its tourism development with the “We the UAE 2031” vision, the country is well-positioned to build on its momentum and maintain its standing as one of the world’s premier destinations for leisure and business travel.