uae tourism rank

Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

Importance of tourism, development of the tourism sector in the united arab emirates from 1995 to 2021.

Revenues from tourism

All data for the United Arab Emirates in detail

(Karim Sahib | AFP

United Arab Emirates

Overview of United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is a federation of seven emirates on the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula. The country, wedged between Oman and Saudi Arabia , has rocky desert, wetlands, waterless mountains and coastlines that stretch along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

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The emirates that currently comprise the UAE were known as the Trucial States in the 19th century as a result of a series of agreements with Great Britain. In 1971, six of these states merged to form the UAE; a seventh joined in 1972.

Prior to the discovery of oil in the mid-20th century, the UAE's economy was based primarily on fishing and a pearl industry . When oil exports began in the 1960s, the country’s economy rapidly transformed. Today, the UAE's per capita gross domestic product is on par with those of leading Western European nations, according to the CIA’s World Factbook. And the World Economic Forum has named the country the most competitive economy in the Arab world .

While conservative at heart, the UAE is one of the Gulf’s most liberal countries, with a constitution that allows for freedom of religion. The country is made up of a federation of monarchies, where the legal system is a mix of civil and Islamic law . Suffrage is limited – with only a few chosen citizens able to vote for the unicameral Federal National Council – and political parties are banned.

The UAE is known for its two largest cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which draw millions of tourists each year. Dubai, a regional business hub known for its sleek skyscrapers, is home to the largest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa. Abu Dhabi is the seat of the Federal National Council and serves as the national capital of the UAE.

The UAE avoided the widespread unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East during the Arab Spring, though in 2011 political activists and intellectuals called for greater public participation in governance. In response, the government launched infrastructure investment plans to help the poor and also cracked down on those calling for reform. Rights groups have criticized the government for detaining, disappearing and sometimes torturing its challengers.

The UAE is a member of the United Nations, OPEC, the World Trade Organization and several other international organizations.

United Arab Emirates Rankings

• Adventure 23.5 #48
• Agility 72.6 #15
• Cultural Influence 63.0 #9
• Entrepreneurship 68.0 #17
• Heritage 22.0 #53
• Movers 100.0 #1
• Open for Business 55.1 #40
• Power 56.0 #10
• Quality of Life 41.2 #26
• Social Purpose 7.2 #48
• Friendly 15.5
• Good for tourism 61.6
• Pleasant climate 5.6
• Scenic 12.6
• Adaptable 25.6
• Dynamic 94.3
• Modern 88.4
• Progressive 77.8
• Responsive 36.3

Cultural Influence

• Culturally significant in terms of entertainment 28.8
• Fashionable 49.0
• Has an influential culture 42.9
• Has strong consumer brands 28.9
• Prestigious 100.0
• Trendy 98.9

Entrepreneurship

• Connected to the rest of the world 81.6
• Educated population 32.7
• Entrepreneurial 81.4
• Innovative 72.5
• Provides easy access to capital 80.3
• Skilled labor force 26.9
• Technological expertise 57.2
• Transparent business practices 28.5
• Well-developed digital infrastructure 77.9
• Well-developed infrastructure 90.8
• Well-developed legal framework 27.3
• Culturally accessible 12.3
• Has a rich history 28.7
• Has great food 11.3
• Many cultural attractions 33.7
• Many geographic attractions 27.5
• Different 84.1
• Distinctive 100.0
• Unique 86.0

Open for Business

• Cheap manufacturing costs 1.3
• Favorable tax environment 89.8
• Not Bureaucratic 25.4
• Not Corrupt 71.6
• Transparent government practices 13.1
• A leader 43.3
• Economically influential 96.0
• Has strong exports 32.6
• Politically influential 76.1
• Strong international alliances 72.3
• Strong military 13.2

Quality of Life

• A good job market 76.6
• Affordable 0.2
• Economically stable 98.5
• Family-friendly 14.3
• Income equality 16.3
• Politically stable 67.0
• Well-developed public education system 17.1
• Well-developed public health system 24.5

Social Purpose

• Cares about animal rights 2.8
• Cares about human rights 4.1
• Cares about the environment 13.6
• Committed to climate goals 9.3
• Committed to social justice 7.9
• Gender equality 0.0
• Racial equity 2.0
• Religious freedom 0.0
• Respects property rights 34.8
• Trustworthy 21.9
• Well-distributed political power 14.6

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Uae: how dubai became world's best tourist destination amid covid, the emirate welcomed over six million international visitors between january and november 2021.

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Dubai’s ranking as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022 has given the city a milestone moment in the new year.

The ranking will also bolster its drive to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the Emirate the most visited destination and the best city to live and work in.

Dubai was voted #1 on the global list of Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Best Global Destination, the world’s #1 destination for city lovers and #4 destination for ‘Food Lovers’.

Winning the three accolades is a significant achievement for Dubai as the awards were determined by the quality and quantity of independent destination reviews and ratings from travellers across accommodation, restaurants and activities over 12 months from November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Inspired by the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the city adopted a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the pandemic including a series of initiatives that further enhanced our global competitiveness and attractiveness as a multi-faceted destination. It is truly a proud moment for Dubai to be endorsed as the top global destination, reaffirming the decisive yet prudent measures taken by Dubai to safely navigate and accelerate out of this unprecedented global challenge."

Almarri added that the achievement is a testament to the "dynamism, resilience and accessibility" of Dubai and its consistence in delivering the highest standards of service to all visitors.

"It also points to the growing collaboration between the Department of Economy and Tourism and its stakeholders and partners, both domestic and international, to position Dubai as a global hub for business and leisure, as well as building on its credentials as an international events destination with the success of Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations," he said.

As one of the first destinations in the world to close, then open and remain open, Dubai's effective management of the pandemic and early initiative to lead the global tourism recovery restored travel confidence and positioned the city as one of the safest destinations.

The constant dialogue and cooperation between DET and stakeholders ensured that the ecosystem was aligned in collectively promoting Dubai as a must-visit destination, highlighting the diverse destination proposition and reinforcing the message that that the city is open and safe for domestic and global travellers.

Dubai also launched initiatives to ease barriers to entry for business and leisure travellers, as well as long-term residency initiatives that offer pathways for deeper engagement and longevity with Dubai.

These include the new visas and programmes such as golden visa targeting investors, entrepreneurs and specialised talents, the five-year multi-entry visa for employees of multinational companies, and the Virtual Working and Retire in Dubai programmes.

Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Dubai’s ability to evolve and adapt, and focus on a diversified approach to international markets have been critical in ensuring that the city continues to retain its position as the leading business and leisure destination and global liveability hub as envisioned by our visionary leadership."

• Covid in UAE: Businesses, events bounce back as residents adapt to new normal
• Out from Covid shadow: Dubai tourism is back; records 6 mln visitors in 11 months of 2021

Tourism growth in Dubai is gathering pace supported by a robust domestic market and growing confidence within the industry and among travellers, especially with the rollout of vaccinations and booster programmes around the world.

According to the latest data published by DET, Dubai welcomed over six million international visitors between January and November 2021, which surpasses the 5.5 million tourists who visited Dubai for the entire 2020.

During this 11-month period, 743 hotel establishments with over 136,000 rooms also opened their doors to guests, delivering strong occupancy levels of over 60 per cent, which is among the highest occupancy rates internationally.

Expo 2020 Dubai has also made a major contribution towards creating awareness of Dubai and drawing more visitors to the city. Since opening on October 1, 2020, Expo 2020 has attracted over 10 million visits by residents and global travellers.

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Dubai Tourism Statistics

In just a few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a desert backwater into one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. And now, the city is aiming to become the most visited tourist destination on the planet, with a new tourism strategy that is targeting 25 million visitors by 2025.

To achieve this goal, the city is investing heavily in infrastructure, hotels, tourist attractions, and shopping malls.

The city has already taken steps to improve its infrastructure and visitor experience.

The extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro has made it possible for visitors to reach new areas of Dubai that were previously difficult to reach by public transport.

Dubai is constantly evolving, and there are always new attractions to see and experience.

One of the latest additions to the city is Ain Dubai , which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. For those who want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, this is a must-see attraction. The View at the Palm also offers stunning panoramic views.

The Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind institution that explores the latest technological innovations, while Madame Tussauds Dubai brings iconic celebrities to life with lifelike wax figures.

These new attractions are sure to wow visitors and continue to put Dubai on the map as a must-see destination.

The city is home to some of the most luxurious and opulent hotels in the world, and new properties are being built all the time. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal, and W Dubai Mina Seyahi are just three of the hotels that opened in 2022.

These developments have made Dubai even more appealing to tourists from all over the world. There is no doubt that it is on track to becoming the most visited city on earth.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021.

However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so a more accurate comparison is with pre-pandemic figures.

In the first half of 2019, 8.36 million tourists visited the city. This means that while there has been an increase in tourism since the pandemic began, the number of tourists has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the difference between the 2022 and 2019 figures is due to the loss of Chinese tourists. In the first 6 months of 2019, 501,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai. In 2022, China’s borders remained effectively sealed as the country continued to pursue a zero-tolerance approach to a virus that other parts of the world have accepted as endemic.

However, with vaccines now available and travel restrictions beginning to ease, it is expected that Dubai will soon return to the pre-pandemic growth levels.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

After a difficult year in 2020, Dubai’s tourism industry saw a rebound in visitor numbers in 2021. With global travel ramping up and COVID-19 restrictions easing, the city welcomed back tourists from all over the world.

In total, 7.28 million visitors arrived in the city in 2021, compared to 5.51 million in 2020. This was a significant increase of over 32 per cent.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the statistics for the first half of 2022, the top five countries of origin for visitors are India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia.

These five countries account for over 40 per cent of all visitors to Dubai. However, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of visitors from other countries as well.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

India has always been an important market for Dubai’s tourism sector, and that was no different in 2021. India remained the city’s top international visitor source market, accounting for 910,000 visitors. That’s a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Many factors have contributed to India being the top source of visitors. One is the abundance of direct flights that make it convenient and affordable for Indian travellers to visit Dubai. Another is the wide range of hotel options, which appeals to a broad range of travellers.

Saudi Arabia had the second highest number of visitors in 2021 with 491,000 visitors. This was an increase of over 22 per cent from the previous year. This is a very impressive result, especially considering that Saudi Arabia closed its borders to all travel up to May 2021.

Russia was again one of the city’s largest tourism source markets, with 444,000 visitors in 2021, an increase of 50 per cent from the previous year.

Visitors from Oman, historically one of Dubai’s top five source markets, were significantly reduced in 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Omani government reopened its borders with the UAE to vaccinated travellers in September 2021.

Visitors by Source Market – January to June 2022 and 2021

Western Europe and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) were the top source markets for the city in the first 6 months of 2022.

As noted above, Oman and Saudi Arabia have historically been amongst Dubai’s top international visitor source markets. Both of these GCC countries had strict travel restrictions in place for much of 2021.

Purpose of Visit

The data for 2021 and previous years shows that most people travel to Dubai for leisure reasons, whether it be to enjoy the city’s many attractions or to relax in its luxurious hotels and resorts. Business travellers accounted for 12 per cent of all visitors to the city in 2021, which was consistent with 2020. Many business visitors are attracted by events such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.

The proportion of travellers visiting the city to see friends and relatives in 2021 rose to 16 per cent, up 3 per cent from 2020.

Hotels – Room Nights

In 2021, hotels in Dubai bounced back from the pandemic with some of their best results ever.

Thanks to a strong rise in the number of domestic guests, the city’s hotel industry had the second highest number of room nights sold on record. The remarkable figure of 31.47 million was only slightly down on the pre-pandemic peak of 32.11 million recorded in 2019.

Guests also stayed longer in 2021, averaging 4.6 nights compared to 4.2 nights the year before.

Hotels – Number and Occupancy

In 2021, Dubai offered more hotel choices to travellers, as the city’s hotel room inventory grew. At the end of the year, the city had a total of 755 hotels and hotel apartments with 137,950 rooms available. This is compared to 711 hotels and hotel apartments with 126,947 rooms at the end of 2020.

This increase in the number of hotel rooms provided travellers with more options to find lodging that met their needs and budget.

The average hotel occupancy rate in 2021 was 67 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2020.

Hotels – Location

Hotels and hotel apartments are found in many areas of Dubai.

The areas with the greatest number of rooms are Deira , Al Barsha , Jumeirah , Downtown Dubai , and Dubai Marina .

The Palm Jumeirah has the highest proportion of 5-star rooms. 87 per cent of available rooms here are in 5-star hotels. Bur Dubai has the lowest proportion of 5-star rooms.

Jebel Ali and Deira are best for budget visitors. In both of these areas, the proportion of rooms in 1 to 3-star hotels is just under 40 per cent.

Top World Cities by Visitor Numbers

According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018 (published September 2019), Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. Only Bangkok, Paris, and London attracted more overnight visitors.

Dubai was the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

Dubai topped the list for both total and average daily visitor spending. The average visitor to the city spent $533 (£464.17, €538.95, 1957.76 AED) per day in 2018, much higher than in any of the other cities.

Total visitor spending in Dubai for the year was $30.82 billion.

At the time of writing (September 2022), Mastercard has not published the report for any years after 2018.

Dubai International Airport Passenger Numbers

According to a report from Airports Council International (published in April 2022), Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world’s busiest airport in 2021 in terms of international passenger traffic.

The busiest airport in terms of total passengers (international and domestic) was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The UAE is a small country. There are no domestic flights from Dubai International Airport or any other airport in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah).

Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of the world’s airports.

Top Tourist Attractions

According to Tripadvisor the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai (September 2022) are:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Fountain
• Dubai Miracle Garden
• Global Village
• Dubai Frame
• Atlantis Aquaventure
• Burj Al Arab
• Dubai Creek
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Mall of the Emirates
• The Lost Chambers
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Dubai Marina
• LEGOLAND Dubai

Tripadvisor is a travel website that helps users find hotels, restaurants, and activities for their upcoming trips. The website also includes user-generated reviews and ratings, as well as photos and videos. It is a great resource for travellers who want to get the most out of their trip.

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UAE – Facts and Figures

Facts and figures about the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Includes currency and exchange rates, population, public holidays, location and geography, and time zone.

UAE Population and Demographics

Detailed UAE population statistics. Includes total population, growth rate, breakdown by gender, number of migrants, nationality, and age groups.

Find out what currency is used in Dubai and view live exchange rates.

UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth rates

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null UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth rates

• Hotel establishments generate AED 11 billion in revenues with a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2019
• 80% hotel occupancy rate among the highest, globally

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, revealed that the UAE’s tourism sector achieved a new growth milestone in Q1 2022, underlining its competitiveness at both regional and global levels. H.E. attributed the sector’s latest achievement to the unlimited support and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership and its interest in this vital sector, which is deemed one of the future sectors and a key focus area in the UAE’s development vision for the next 50 years.

The Minister explained that during the first quarter of this year, the national tourism sector exceeded the growth rates recorded not only in 2020 and 2021, but also during the same period in 2019, which is the benchmark for measuring recovery and growth rates in most countries today. It is one of the best years in terms of economic growth in general and tourism in particular, and this confirms the strong comeback of the sector thanks to the forward-looking vision of the UAE’s wise leadership. Equally important was the concerted national efforts to develop national tourism, provide a supportive environment and integrated incentives for the development of tourism products, offer adequate tourism infrastructure in the country, and focus on the delivery of high value-added services, he said.

According to tourism figures for Q1 2022, the country's hotel establishments attracted nearly 6 million visitors who spent 25 million hotel nights, reflecting a growth of 10% compared to the same period in 2019. The average duration of hotel guest stays reached 25% during the same period, up from 3 nights to 4 nights. Moreover, the occupancy rate of hotel establishments in the country during this period achieved 80% growth, which is one of the highest globally. Hotel establishments also generated a total revenue of AED 11 billion with a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2019 and resumed operations at full capacity of approximately 200,000 hotel rooms.

Furthermore, Q1 2022 saw a resurgence and a strong comeback of inward tourism flows from foreign markets, as hotel establishments in various emirates hosted nearly 4 million international tourists. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America topped the list of international tourists.

H.E. Al Falasi explained that these indicators underscore the strength of the tourism product and the pioneering services and attractive tourism destinations that the UAE offers, as well as its sophisticated tourism infrastructure. They also reflect the growing confidence of visitors in the national tourism sector and the UAE’s reputation as a safe and favorable destination capable of providing a rich and distinguished tourism experience.

In addition, H.E. noted the important role that the major events hosted by the UAE over the past months played in supporting the sector. These include Expo 2020 Dubai, which successfully attracted more than 24 million visitors over six months, and ‘Worlds’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in its second edition, which over one and a half months generated a total revenue of AED 1.5 billion and attracted more than 1.3 million local tourists.

Furthermore, H.E. commended the efforts of relevant authorities, various local tourism departments, and the strong partnership with the tourism private sector in the country, which was vital in achieving these positive results. He also highlighted the importance of further integration of roles among tourism development entities in order to achieve the UAE’s vision in this regard and provide the best tourism services and products for domestic and international tourists. These efforts are key to consolidating the UAE's position as a preferred and sustainable destination for tourism, investments and tourism projects.

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UAE residents' 10 favourite travel and tourism brands in 2022: Emirates tops the list

Etihad airways ranks in second place and dubai's burj al arab is the country's highest-rated hotel.

Emirates ranked first in YouGov's UAE Travel and Tourism Rankings for 2022.

Emirates has topped YouGov's UAE Travel and Tourism Rankings for 2022.

The Dubai airline scored the highest in the Brand Index, which measures public perception of travel and tourism brands among UAE residents. The list ranks residents' approval of brands, but is not limited to UAE companies.

Emirates tops the list from global public opinion and data company YouGov, with an Impression score of 63.3.

The airline responded to travel demand in 2021 by rebuilding its network to 90 per cent of its pre-pandemic coverage, as countries eased Covid-19 related travel restrictions.

The airline's health and safety measures and extension of tier status for frequent flyers also helped boost its score to a record high. The UAE airline's impressive ranking was also second-highest globally for airlines — behind only Garuda Indonesia .

Top 10 UAE Travel and Tourism brands in 2022

• Etihad Airways
• Burj Al Arab
• Atlantis, The Palm
• Emirates Palace
• Qatar Airways

Etihad Airways , the national airline of the UAE, scored second in the rankings with a score of 40.5. The Abu Dhabi airline took the global pandemic seriously, and was the first in the world to insist passengers flying to any destination must have a negative PCR test. Etihad has also started to ramp up operations again.

Dubai's only “seven-star” hotel is third in the rankings. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel remains a key part of the city's skyline and scored 32.6 in the rankings. For the first time last year, the hotel opened its doors to non-guests in 2021 with tours of the property's highlights, something that has likely helped strengthen its positive impression for people in the UAE.

The remainder of the list is dominated by hotels and resort brands, with family favourite Atlantis, The Palm in fourth place, and Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in seventh place. Hilton , Jumeirah, Marriott and Rotana brands rank in the top 10, which is rounded out by Qatar Airways — the flag carrier in the nearby Gulf country — picked by UAE residents for being the most improved brand.

Emirates also topped YouGov's UAE Best Buzz list for 2021 earlier this month, beating out the likes of Apple and iPhone.

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ATM 2024: Dubai attracts 5.1 million visitors in Q1 2024, marking a 11% increase from last year

Travel & tourism.

Western European markets lead visitor influx to Dubai, followed by South Asian tourists

Dubai: Dubai welcomed 5.18m international overnight visitors in the first three months of 2024, 11 per cent higher than the first quarter of last year, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) revealed.

DET has said that the Emirate saw 4.67m tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023.

Hotels in the Emirate recorded an occupancy rate of 83 per cent, ranking among the highest globally, said Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Dubai remains committed to delivering an exceptional tourism experience, aligned with the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai’s position as one of the world's top three cities for tourism,” he shared.

Issam Kazim, the CEO of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), credited the robust growth numbers to increased global airline capacities and the Emirate’s ‘diversified approach to boosting its tourism numbers’.

“We always talked about Dubai being home to different nationalities. But we’re also attracting tourists from across the globe,” he said.

According to DET, the majority of Dubai's tourists, totalling 1.138 million arrivals, hailed from Western European markets, followed by 869,000 South Asian visitors.

About 817,000 visitors were recorded from countries belonging to the CIS States and Eastern Europe, 605,000 from the MENA region, 664,000 from the GCC region, and 344,000 from the Americas.

“For us, the opportunities exist from a point-to-point perspective where we’ve seen great growth. But we are constantly leveraging the connectivity and the role Dubai plays in connecting the rest of the world through Dubai International Airport (DXB),” explained Kazim.

DXB retained its crown as the world’s busiest international hub for the 10th year in a row, according to Airports Council International, catering to 86.9 million passengers in 2023. The world’s busiest passenger hub is expected to announce its Q1 2024 figures sometime in the coming days.

“So it shows there is a transit opportunity, a chance to get people through the doors for the first time and create repeat visitors,” said Kazim. He added that about 25 per cent of the visitors in Dubai are repeat visitors. “By repeat, I mean they come back to Dubai again and again within 12 months. So that is again the number that solidifies Dubai’s position regarding quality of service,” he added.

Kazim also said the opening of the new passenger terminal planned for Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), is expected to boost visitor numbers and investments.

“This airport aims to attract visitors to Dubai and facilitate business travel and logistics. These developments align well with our strategy to attract more visitors, new residents, and businesses to Dubai,” he stated.

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The UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism

The UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism aims to unify local and federal efforts to harness the UAE’s tourism resources and reinforce the role of domestic tourism in the national economy. As part of the strategy, the Government will coordinate efforts to highlight the UAE’s major natural, cultural, heritage and historical attractions.

In December 2020, UAE Government launched the ‘UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism’ with the aim to unify local and federal efforts to harness the UAE’s tourism resources and reinforce the role of domestic tourism in the national economy.

In 2019, the UAE’s domestic tourism sector contributed AED 41.2 billion to the national economy. It constitutes 23 per cent of the total revenue of the tourism sector. As part of the new strategy, the country aims to double the revenue of domestic tourism and achieve a greater balance between the domestic and international tourism by 2030.

As part of the strategy, the Government will coordinate efforts to highlight the UAE’s major natural, cultural, heritage and historical attractions. It will use surveys to collect data on peoples’ interests to develop a unique touristic experience. The Government will also develop a comprehensive plan to launch tourism campaigns and initiatives throughout the year.

The ‘World’s Coolest Winter’, is the UAE’s first federal tourism campaign. The 45-days campaign aims to highlight the major landmarks and attractions that distinguish the seven emirates from each other and contribute to the UAE as a single destination. The campaign invites the public to explore the hidden gems of the seven emirates, rediscover the UAE’s landmarks, reconnect with nature and share their experiences on social media platforms.

The strategy will be implemented through a number of measures that include:

• building capabilities and diversifying resources to boost the local tourism in each emirate
• supporting the growth of domestic tourism companies
• driving investment in local tourism projects
• developing policies and plans to promote domestic tourism in the UAE under a unified tourism identity
• launching training and academic programmes in domestic tourism
• unifying local tourism legislations
• building public-private partnerships in the tourism sector
• inviting the hospitality sector to offer promotional packages that encourage winter tourism across the UAE
• launching a website on domestic tourism in the UAE.

Along with the strategy, the government announced a new unified tourism identity to promote the UAE as a single tourist destination. The unified identity is aligned with the objectives of the UAE Nation Brand to establish a positive image of the country regionally and internationally.

Read related news coverage on  WAM .

Discover the  World's Coolest Winter  in the UAE.

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• Mohammed bin Rashid approves UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism .

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Dubai maintains tourism growth momentum with 5.18 million international overnight visitors in first quarter of 2024

D UBAI, 6th May, 2024 (WAM) -- Dubai welcomed 5.18 million international overnight visitors from January to March 2024, an 11 percent rise over the 4.67 million tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023, according to data published by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

Following a milestone year in 2023, with Dubai receiving a record 17.15 million international overnight visitors, the city’s tourism industry is building on the momentum in the first quarter of the year, driven by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This growth also aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.

Commending the achievement, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said, “The number of visitors in the first quarter of 2024 indicates that Dubai is on course for another standout performance this year after the emirate received a record number of visitors last year, with international visitors reaching 17.15 million. This will ensure that the tourism sector continues its growth journey in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to strengthen its position as a leading global city for business and leisure.”

He added, “Integrating diverse aspects, the blueprint behind Dubai’s success as a tourist destination is based on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and it has gained the trust of visitors from around the world. Effective promotion efforts showcase the best of Dubai for tourists, but it has also invested for years in developing world-class infrastructure that serves citizens, residents, and visitors alike. The performance of various sectors has been enhanced in line with the highest international standards and best practices with the ultimate goal of becoming the smartest, most advanced and agile city, serving everyone who resides on its land or visits it as an honourable guest.”

Sheikh Hamdan praised the efforts of the DET in successfully promoting the emirate at a global level and showcasing the distinguished experience that it is keen to provide visitors, noting that its well-considered strategies are clearly reflected in the steady growth in tourist numbers. His Highness also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all strategic partners in the private sector for their contributions in highlighting the attractiveness of Dubai and emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to ensure that the emirate continued to retain its lead on the global tourism map in coming years as well.

Sheikh Hamdan stated, “Ensuring the highest levels of tourist satisfaction translates into each visitor becoming an ambassador for Dubai, carrying to the world the image of a city that spares no effort for the happiness and comfort of its guests. We affirm our commitment to continue working to further enhance the capabilities of our tourism sector and diversify options we put at the disposal of our guests, ensuring that these always exceed their expectations. This is part of an ambitious economic strategy with a human element at its heart, the goal being to live up to every individual’s aspirations and requirements at multiple levels.”

Dubai’s exceptional performance reinforced global recognition for the destination, having begun 2024 by being named the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third successive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, the first city to achieve this unique accolade.

The rise in international tourists during Q1 is the result of city-wide strategies established across vital pillars in the tourism sector, including sustainability, accessibility, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while various other key factors contributed to visitation growth. The city hosted several major industry events, such as Arab Health, Gulfood and the Dubai International Boat Show, while new hotel openings included The Lana, Dorchester Collection’s first property in the Middle East; SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai’s first fitness hotel; Marriott Marquis Dubai; and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences. Catering to all budgets and preferences, Dubai’s diverse offerings are constantly evolving, supported by world-class infrastructure, exceptional service at all touchpoints, and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate’s continued record-breaking visitation performance demonstrates the sustained commitment to delivering on our long-term D33 Agenda goals, and further solidifies the pivotal role the tourism and hospitality sectors play in propelling Dubai’s positive growth trajectory.

“In addition to our high-performing tourism ecosystem, these figures also continue to be spurred by upswings in the number of international businesses setting up, existing companies expanding business lines and catchment footprint from Dubai, a very healthy MICE sector, and an influx of new talent relocating to the city, demonstrating the wide-reaching and synergistic impact of a successful and well calibrated D33 economic blueprint.”

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, “Inspired by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the objectives of the D33 Agenda, Dubai is committed to further elevating standards across the emirate and expanding its tourism offering with innovative and distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions.

“We will continue to drive strong global and market-specific campaigns, collaborating with our key domestic and international stakeholders and partners and taking a diversified marketing approach to promote Dubai to audiences around the world, exciting and inspiring potential new and repeat visitors. The commitment of our partners to this shared vision, including through the delivery of the highest levels of service across all consumer touchpoints, is instrumental in making Dubai the best city to visit, live and work in. We look forward to maintaining the industry’s success throughout summer and the rest of the year.”

Dubai’s diversified approach, built on bespoke strategies and activities in more than 80 markets, helped maintain its position as a first-choice travel destination for visitors both from key traditional and emerging markets. From January to March, the Western Europe region was Dubai’s biggest source market with 1.138 million arrivals, a 22 percent overall share, followed by South Asia with 869,000 visitors (17 percent) and CIS and Eastern Europe with 817,000 (16 percent). From a regional perspective, the GCC and MENA were fourth and fifth, accounting for 664,000 (13 percent) and 605,000 (12 percent) arrivals respectively. The North-East Asia and South-East Asia region recorded 470,000 arrivals into Dubai (a 9 percent share), followed by the Americas 344,000 (7 percent), Africa 202,000 (4 percent) and Australasia 70,000 (1 percent).

From January to March this year, Dubai’s hotels maintained a room occupancy rate of 83 percent, a notable achievement given the 2 percent year-on-year increase in overall room supply to more than 152,000. Occupied room nights increased by 2 percent, with 11.2 million at the end of Q1 2024, compared to 10.98 million in 2023. Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose to AED638 during Q1, marking a notable increase of 5 percent compared to the same period in 2023, while Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) increased by 4 percent compared to last year, from AED504 to AED527. This performance clearly indicates city hoteliers are maintaining competitive prices and revenues amid high levels of occupancy. Total available rooms in Dubai reached 152,162 by the end of March, up from 148,877 rooms in March 2023, while the number of establishments stood at 832 at the end of the first quarter, compared to 814 during the same period last year.

Dubai had a substantial total of 96,484 hotel rooms across five-star and four-star establishments, representing a significant 64 percent share of the overall hotel rooms in the city, with average room occupancy typically ranging from 81 percent to 84 percent. One- to three-star hotels had a 19 percent share of Dubai’s overall hotel market, with the category comprising 29,100 rooms and a commendable 82 percent room occupancy rate. The hotel apartments segment boasted a total of 26,578 keys at the end of the first quarter and maintained a strong average room occupancy ranging from 84 percent to 85 percent.

With the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ extending into 2024, Dubai continues its commitment to sustainability by supporting global and country-wide objectives. Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors are spearheading this drive, with programmes and initiatives demonstrating the city’s ecotourism strategy.

Pioneering initiatives include those under the Dubai Can umbrella. The popular ‘Refill for Life’ campaign, promoting the use of reusable bottles and encouraging people to refill via 50 water fountains established throughout the city, has already seen the reduction in the usage of an equivalent of more than 18 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles in just two years since its launch. A second Dubai Can initiative, Dubai Reef, is the world’s largest marine reef development project and part of the city’s efforts to increase fish stocks and boost marine biodiversity. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed recently inaugurated the landmark project’s pilot reef modules.

DET is creating new pathways to growth beyond traditional tourism, through investment, entrepreneurship, and attracting global talent. Offering vocational training and educational programmes, Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of DET, is committed to developing a skilled workforce to support the growth of the tourism sector. Dubai also offers entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a platform for ease of set-up and scale. Dubai SME provides financial support, mentorship, and resources to emerging entrepreneurs while Intelak Hub is the region’s only start-up platform dedicated to the travel, tourism, and aviation sectors.

Dubai’s gastronomic offering, catering to the diverse tastes of residents and visitors alike, continues to expand and is a cornerstone of the city’s tourism strategy. The city’s position as a global culinary capital was further established with 18 Dubai-based restaurants included in the 2024 MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list, with four of them taking the top four places.

The ongoing expansion of the cruise sector is also seeing significant benefits for Dubai. In March this year, regional maritime and tourism authorities formalised the Cruise Arabia alliance – a strategic partnership that will promote the Arabian Gulf as a cruise ship destination globally and collaborate to enhance the cruise experience for passengers, attract more cruise liners, improve infrastructure at ports, and drive economic growth in the cruise tourism sector. Dubai has been a significant player in the Cruise Arabia alliance, working closely with its partners to create interconnected and integrated regional cruise services.

Dubai’s status as a global entertainment hub is being bolstered by new attractions and a year-round calendar of business, leisure, and sporting events, which continue to attract international tourists. The city’s newest major opening is Real Madrid World, an exciting theme park within Dubai Parks and Resorts, and the first to be operating under the branding of the world-famous football club. The opening of Real Madrid World follows the multi-year agreement signed in October last year between DET and Real Madrid, which will create growth opportunities for both institutions and support the D33 Agenda.

Meanwhile, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), some of Dubai’s biggest annual events were held during the first quarter of the year, including Dubai Shopping Festival. Currently taking place across the city until 12 May is the Dubai Food Festival, one of Dubai’s flagship events and a celebration of the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

Tourism projected to account for 12% of UAE's GDP in 2024: Minister of Economy

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UAE tourism market rising steadily for Cyprus, Deputy Minister says

07:35 - 10 May 2024

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tourism market is rising steadily for Cyprus, Deputy Minister for Tourism Costas Koumis has said, stressing that the Middle East and the Asian markets deserve more attention by Cypriot tourism stakeholders.

In a statement on the conclusion of his contacts in the Arabian Travel Market and the Annual Investment Meeting AIM Congress 2024 held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, Koumis also noted that he discussed possible new promotion actions which are heading towards implementation.

Koumis, who headed a delegation of the Ministry along with Cypriot tourism stakeholders, participated in the event. According to a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry, Koumis held contacts with travel agents and air carriers concerning the increase of tourist flows from the UAE and the Middle Eastern countries as well as the strengthening of the air connectivity between Cyprus and current and new destinations, including with high-ranking officials of Jazeera, Gulf Air and Air India.

Koumis also participated in the 13th AIM Congress 2024, held under the auspices of Emirati Minister of Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, with whom Koumis held a private meeting.

In the context of the Congress, the Cypriot delegation held networking meetings with top officials in the field of tourism and investments, with the Ministry highlighting the meeting between Koumis and the head of UAE International Investors Council and officials of the UN Tourism’s investment management directorate.

In a statement on his contacts, Koumis highlighted that the UAE market remains on a steady rising trend, recalling that tourist arrivals from UAE were up by an annual 14% last year.

“We are happy to see that noteworthy increase could be recorded this year as well,” he added.

The Deputy Minister noted that both the countries of the Middle East and of Asia deserve more attention, adding that promotion actions are in the process of implementation.

With regard to the Indian market, Koumis said there is interest for the near future but a lot depends on the gradual plans by the companies that have expressed interest for Cyprus.

“On our part, it is certain that we proceed with a plan to increase demand from the specific country with clear focus on some special forms of tourism,” he said.

On investments, Koumis said he had important meetings during the AIM Council which confirmed that strategic collaborations with UAE could emerge.

(Source: CNA)

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