dubai tourism statistics 2021

Dubai Online

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.

Related Content

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.

• Environment
• Road to Net Zero
• Art & Design
• Film & TV
• Music & On-stage
• Pop Culture
• Fashion & Beauty
• Home & Garden
• Things to do
• Combat Sports
• Horse Racing
• Beyond the Headlines
• Trending Middle East
• Business Extra
• Culture Bites
• Year of Elections
• Pocketful of Dirhams
• Books of My Life
• Iraq: 20 Years On

Dubai receives 4.88 million visitors in the first 10 months of 2021

More than a million international visitors came to the emirate in october, according to the dubai authorities.

Burj Khalifa at sunrise. Getty

Dubai received 4.88 million visitors between January and October 2021, with international visits during October alone reaching more than one million as the emirate’s tourism sector charted a robust recovery from the pandemic.

The emirate sold 9.4 million room nights in the first 10 months of this year, up 34 per cent compared to the same period in 2019 owing to the higher number of domestic and international visitors, according to the latest statistics released by the Dubai government's media office on Saturday.

“Our multi-pronged strategy to combat the pandemic and deployment of wide-ranging initiatives to increase our global competitiveness and attractiveness is a hallmark of Dubai’s highly progressive public-private partnership model, which has been a cornerstone of not only what was achieved in 2021 but what will be achieved in the next critical 12 to 24-month period,” said Helal Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

Dubai was one of the first cities globally to re-open its markets and businesses in July 2020 and continues to stay open, while ensuring strict compliance with health and safety measures. The UAE also has one of the world’s highest per capita Covid-19 vaccination rates. The number of coronavirus cases in the UAE has also fallen below 100 in the past few weeks on the back of an accelerated vaccination programme.

The occupancy rate at Dubai hotels was at almost 64 per cent in the year-to-date October, while the length of stay jumped 12 per cent to 4.6 nights. During this period, there were 24.74 million occupied room nights across the emirate at an average daily rate of Dh384 ($104.56), in comparison to 15.66 million occupied room nights at an average daily rate of Dh335. Room inventory is now 6 per cent higher than 2019, according to the latest statistics.

“Over the last five decades Dubai has transformed into a global tourism and business hub and through the effective citywide management of the pandemic, the city has strengthened its position as one of the safest destinations in the world,” said Issam Kazim, chief executive of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

“With our ... infrastructure, one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and flexible working visas, Dubai is becoming the preferred business hub for conglomerates and start-ups alike.”

Dubai's economy is forecast to expand 4 per cent in 2021 , according to government projections released in December last year.

Business conditions in Dubai's non-oil economy registered the sharpest improvement in two years in October, boosted by a strong rebound in new orders and Expo 2020 reviving tourism.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Dubai Purchasing Managers' Index surged to 54.5 in October, from 51.5 in September, the highest level since October 2019. A reading above 50 indicates economic expansion while one below points to a contraction.

Dubai has also introduced a number of initiatives in the past year to attract investors. These include visas for retirees, digital nomads and property investors, as well as the expansion of the golden visa scheme.

Hotels in Dubai recorded a 16.8 per cent surge in occupancy in the first 10 months of the year, according to a separate study by CBRE.

Checking In

Travel updates and inspiration from the past week

UAE hotels hosted 19 million visitors in 2021, witnessing growth of more than 29 per cent

MOE Popular Search Keywords

Search in the website, popular search.

• Ministory of Economy
• Promising Sector
• Invest in UAE
• Future Economy

Accessibility Options

Preferred colours, night vision, translate this page to.

The Ministry is not responsible for the translation output by Google.

Language Selector

Asset publisher.

• Strategic Objectives
• Organisational Structure
• Senior Management
• Departments and Sectors
• Excellence Awards
• Quality Certificates
• Strategic Partners
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Integrated Management System (IMS) Policy
• Risk Management System Policy
• Asset Management System Policy
• Business Continuity Management System Policy
• Governance Policy
• Investor Navigator
• Investment Environment
• NextGen FDI
• UAE Lifestyle
• Investment Incentives
• Promising Sectors
• Foreign Investment Inflow
• Competitiveness Indicators
• Legislative Environment
• Establishing Businesses
• Set up companies via Basher
• UAE Export Development
• Investment Support Entities
• Talent Attraction & Retention
• Success Stories
• Exhibitions and Events
• Business Forums
• Investment Publications
• National Agenda for Entrepreneurship and SMEs
• National Programme
• Entrepreneurship Support Entities
• Start Your Business Journey
• Establish Your Own Business
• Cooperative Associations and Strategic Stock of Food Commodities Legislations
• Companies' Legislations
• SMEs' Legislations
• Competition and Anti-Dumping Legislations
• Commercial Transaction Legislations
• Intellectual Property Legislations
• Commercial Agency Legislations
• Consumer Protection Legislations
• Auditors Legislations
• Anti-Money Laundering Crimes Legislations
• Cabinet Resolution on the Organisational Structure of the Ministry of Economy
• Cabinet Resolution on MoE Service Fees
• Common Contracts Projects
• Cooperative Associations
• Combatting Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing
• Targeted Financial Sanctions
• Register in goAML
• Anti-Injurious Economic Practices
• Anti-Injurious Practices Complaints
• Protecting UAE Exports
• Economic Substance Regulations
• Companies Registrars
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Regional & International Organisations
• GCC Free Trade Agreements
• Economic Cooperation Map
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements
• Facts about the UAE
• Emirates of the UAE
• Tourist Attractions
• Entry Requirements
• Airports and Ports
• Travel to the UAE
• Hotels in the UAE
• Transportation and Mobility
• Tourism Indicators
• Investing in Tourism
• Tour Guide License
• MoEc Open Data
• International Trade Map
• Foreign Direct Investment Dashboard
• International Trade Relations Dashboard
• Economic Reports and Studies
• Annual Economic and Statistical Reports
• Open Data Application Form
• Open Data Policy
• Share Your Suggestions
• eConsultation
• Contact the Ministers
• Social Media
• eParticipation Policy
• Government Initiatives
• MoEc Initiatives
• Publications
• Annual Reports
• UAE Economy Magazine
• Press Materials
• Regulation of Competition
• Competition Complaints
• Economic Concentration
• Consumer Protection
• Consumer Complaints
• Request for Price Increase
• Product Recall
• Request for Product Recall
• Product Recalls Announced

Navigation Menu

• Media Centre
• Media Center News Detail
• MoE Initiatives

null UAE hotels hosted 19 million visitors in 2021, witnessing growth of more than 29 per cent

Emirates Tourism Council reviews national plans to develop tourism data system in UAE

 The Emirates Tourism Council - which met under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises - reviewed the national plans to develop a tourism data system in accordance with global best practices and promote tourism in foreign markets to increase the footfall of visitors in the UAE. The first Council meeting in 2022 - which was attended by the membership of heads, directors of all local tourism departments and entities in the UAE - also reviewed the performance of the tourism sector and hotel establishments in the country in 2021 and the growth rates achieved in several tourism indicators.

Al Falasi asserted that the tourism sector in the UAE continues to achieve outstanding results due to the vision and directives of the wise leadership and the concerted national efforts to develop the country's tourism environment by providing integrated tourism products and services that enhance UAE’s position as a preferred and sustainable tourist destination for tourists from within the country and around the world.

According to the data, hotel establishments in the country hosted 19 million guests in 2021, with a growth of more than 29 per cent compared to the number of guests in 2020. Domestic tourism accounted for 58 per cent of the total number of guests last year in the UAE. Hotel establishments last year generated revenues of AED 28 billion, witnessing a growth of up to 70 per cent compared to 2020.

Over the past year, more than 75 million hotel nights have been booked, up 42 per cent compared to 2020, while the hotel occupancy rate reached 67 per cent, which is the highest rate ever achieved in leading tourist destinations worldwide. The number of hotel establishments in the UAE increased by 5 per cent in 2021 to 1144 establishments, as compared to 2020. During the same period, the number of hotel rooms increased by 8 per cent to 194,000 rooms across the UAE.

His Excellency stated that these positive results demonstrate the efficiency of the policies adopted by the UAE to support and develop the national tourism sector and that many of these indicators are approaching pre-pandemic growth rates. “This shows a full recovery of the national tourism sector and confirms the positive direction it is increasingly achieving,” he said, adding that these results are the product of the concerted government efforts and the efficiency of the private tourism sector to provide an attractive and secure national tourist environment, leading and integrated tourism services, diverse and unique destinations, and advanced tourism infrastructure.

Al Falasi also noted the importance of major events and initiatives organized by the UAE during the past phase in achieving these results and providing national tourism with great developmental potential. “Expo 2020 Dubai attracted more than 24 million visitors in 6 months, and the second edition of the ‘most beautiful winter in the world’ campaign, which generated revenues of AED 1.5 billion, attracted more than 1.3 million domestic tourists in just one and a half months,” he said.

In addition, the Council showcased the efforts of the stakeholders in the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which is one of the strategic projects for tourism development in the UAE, comprising more than 15 federal and local government entities. It aims at developing a national integrated statistics organization, which will contribute to the enhancement of transparency, the development of human systems and equal technology to support the decision-making process in the country. The UAE has also signed a partnership and coordination agreement with the United Nations World Tourism Organization to support the development of this statistics system, as the organization will provide technical and knowledge support in this area. Moreover, the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) will contribute to increasing the efficiency of the country's tourism statistics system by measuring the economic indicators of the tourism sector and its contribution to the national economy and the labor market.

His Excellency the Chairman of the Council reiterated the importance of all relevant stakeholders working in synergy to support the Satellite Account project and provide the technical infrastructure and human resources necessary for its development. “It is an important step to achieve a shift in the field of tourism data, helping to provide a comprehensive and reliable knowledge base that promotes decision-making and future policy making regarding tourism development in the country,” he added.

Furthermore, the Council was briefed on Member States' plans for external promotion. Al Falasi reiterated the importance of concerted efforts between the Ministry of Economy, local tourism departments and bodies, and relevant government entities to develop integrated plans and programs to develop foreign tourism and attract international tourists, especially in view of significant increase in tourism recovery rates globally, and the existence of growing opportunities to open new markets to enhance the country's position on the global tourism map.

The meeting was also attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), and H.E. Faisal Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the Ministry of Economy, H.E. Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Saeed Al Semahi, Director General of Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, H.E. Khadija Al Turki, Director General of Ajman Tourism Development Department, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Haitham Sultan Al Ali, Director of Tourism Department at the Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain, and Farah AlYasi, Director of Government Relations & Events at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Communication Channels

FeedbackFormMoe

There are (2) notifications for you

Thank you for your feedback

PageRating FeedBack

اقتصاد امارات.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• The UAE Promise
• Customer Happiness Equation
• Ministry Of Economy's E-services guide
• Privacy Policy
• Terminology

Ministry of Economy's Unified Number

All rights reserved. Ministry of Economy

United Arab Emirates 2020

Screen resolution should be 1280x1024 for best browsing experience. Browser Compatibility: IE 11.0+, Firefox 35.0+, Safari 5.1+, Google Chrome 39.0+.

Page was last updated on:

30 Apr 2024 2:50:44 PM

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Ministry of economy dashboards app, additional components, number of visitors.

• Social Icon Title

• Latest News
• Antigua & Barbuda
• The Bahamas
• British Virgin Islands
• Canadian Residents Outbound
• Caribbean Long Term
• Cayman Islands
• Cruise Visitors Caribbean
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Global (UNWTO)
• The Maldives
• Puerto Rico
• Saint Lucia
• St Kitts & Nevis
• St. Vincent & The Grenadines
• Sint Maarten
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks & Caicos
• UK Residents Outbound
• US International Outbound
• US Consumer Confidence Index

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access.

Arrivals of international tourists in the UAE 2012-2021

Number of international tourists arriving in the united arab emirates from 2012 to 2021 (in millions).

• Immediate access to 1m+ statistics
• Incl. source references
• Download as PNG, PDF, XLS, PPT

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

Alpen Capital

August 2022

United Arab Emirates

2012 to 2021

Other statistics on the topic

Number of outbound tourists from Australia FY 2023, by destination

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by country of residence

Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2010-2023

Number of domestic overnight visitors Australia 2023, by state visited

To download this statistic in XLS format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PNG format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PDF format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PPT format you need a Statista Account

As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.

As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic.

As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail.

… to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time.

You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature.

• Immediate access to statistics, forecasts & reports
• Usage and publication rights
• Download in various formats

You only have access to basic statistics. This statistic is not included in your account.

• Instant access  to 1m statistics
• Download  in XLS, PDF & PNG format
• Detailed  references

Business Solutions including all features.

Other statistics that may interest you

• Arrival of international tourists in Saudi Arabia 2012-2021
• Arrival of international tourists in Bahrain 2012-2021
• Arrival of international tourists in the GCC 2021, by country
• Number of hotel facilities in the GCC 2019, by country
• Monthly number of international tourist arrivals in Italy 2018-2024
• Number of inbound tourists in Malta 2010-2023, by frequency
• Number of inbound tourists in Malta 2019-2023, by age group
• Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022
• Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by purpose of visit
• Number of tourist visits from China to the UK Q1 2014-Q1 2020
• Revenue per available room in the UAE 2019-2021
• Hotel room occupancy rate in the UAE 2012-2019
• Internal tourism consumption as to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Visitor export contribution to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Number of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by country of origin
• Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by region
• Government collective spending contribution to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Induced economic contribution of tourism to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Leading travel companies that comes to mind to UAE residents by brand 2018
• International tourist arrivals in Europe 2006-2023
• Countries with the highest outbound tourism expenditure worldwide 2019-2022
• Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022
• Number of international tourist arrivals in India 2010-2021
• Change in number of visitors from Mexico to the U.S. 2018-2024
• Leading countries in the MEA in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2018
• Annual revenue of China Tourism Group Duty Free 2013-2023
• International tourism receipts of India 2011-2022
• Business travel spending in the GCC 2012-2021
• Arrivals of foreign tourists in China in 2015, by reason for traveling
• Annual expenditure of international tourists on their trips to Spain 2004-2020
• Number of arrivals to Qatar Q1 2018 and Q1 2019 by region
• Number of international tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia 2010-2018
• Uruguay: tourist arrivals 2017, by nationality
• Inbound tourist arrivals in the Netherlands 2012-2022, by accommodation type
• Tourist arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type
• Domestic tourist arrivals in Venice, Italy 2019-2022, by region
• Visitor arrivals in Helsinki 2022, by country of origin
• Outbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• Inbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• ADR of hotels in Oman 2019-2021
• ADR of hotels in Bahrain 2019-2021
• ADR of hotels in Kuwait 2019-2021
• Revenue per available room in the GCC 2021, by country
• Revenue per available room in Saudi Arabia 2019-2021
• Revenue per available room in Qatar 2019-2021
• Revenue per available room in Oman 2019-2021
• Revenue per available room in Bahrain 2019-2021

Other statistics that may interest you Statistics on

About the industry

• Premium Statistic Arrival of international tourists in Saudi Arabia 2012-2021
• Premium Statistic Arrival of international tourists in Bahrain 2012-2021
• Premium Statistic Arrival of international tourists in the GCC 2021, by country
• Premium Statistic Number of hotel facilities in the GCC 2019, by country
• Premium Statistic Monthly number of international tourist arrivals in Italy 2018-2024
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourists in Malta 2010-2023, by frequency
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourists in Malta 2019-2023, by age group
• Premium Statistic Countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2023, by purpose of visit
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist visits from China to the UK Q1 2014-Q1 2020

About the region

• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in the UAE 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate in the UAE 2012-2019
• Basic Statistic Internal tourism consumption as to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Visitor export contribution to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by region
• Basic Statistic Government collective spending contribution to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Induced economic contribution of tourism to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in UAE 2012-2028
• Premium Statistic Leading travel companies that comes to mind to UAE residents by brand 2018

Selected statistics

• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Europe 2006-2023
• Premium Statistic Countries with the highest outbound tourism expenditure worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in India 2010-2021
• Premium Statistic Change in number of visitors from Mexico to the U.S. 2018-2024
• Premium Statistic Leading countries in the MEA in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2018
• Premium Statistic Annual revenue of China Tourism Group Duty Free 2013-2023
• Basic Statistic International tourism receipts of India 2011-2022

Other regions

• Premium Statistic Business travel spending in the GCC 2012-2021
• Premium Statistic Arrivals of foreign tourists in China in 2015, by reason for traveling
• Premium Statistic Annual expenditure of international tourists on their trips to Spain 2004-2020
• Premium Statistic Number of arrivals to Qatar Q1 2018 and Q1 2019 by region
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia 2010-2018
• Premium Statistic Uruguay: tourist arrivals 2017, by nationality
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist arrivals in the Netherlands 2012-2022, by accommodation type
• Basic Statistic Tourist arrivals in Belgium 2019-2020, by accommodation type
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist arrivals in Venice, Italy 2019-2022, by region
• Basic Statistic Visitor arrivals in Helsinki 2022, by country of origin

Related statistics

• Basic Statistic Outbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• Basic Statistic Inbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• Premium Statistic ADR of hotels in Oman 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic ADR of hotels in Bahrain 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic ADR of hotels in Kuwait 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in the GCC 2021, by country
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in Saudi Arabia 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in Qatar 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in Oman 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in Bahrain 2019-2021

Further related statistics

• Basic Statistic Contribution of China's travel and tourism industry to GDP 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Passenger traffic at Dubai Airports from 2010 to 2020*
• Basic Statistic Growth of inbound spending in the U.S. using foreign visa credit cards
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals APAC 2019, by country or region
• Basic Statistic Importance of BRICS countries to UK tourism businesses 2011
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the U.S. from Russia 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Music tourist spending at concerts and festivals in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2016
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Operating income of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Total assets of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• Contribution of China's travel and tourism industry to GDP 2014-2023
• Passenger traffic at Dubai Airports from 2010 to 2020*
• Growth of inbound spending in the U.S. using foreign visa credit cards
• Number of international tourist arrivals APAC 2019, by country or region
• Importance of BRICS countries to UK tourism businesses 2011
• Number of visitors to the U.S. from Russia 2011-2022
• Music tourist spending at concerts and festivals in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2016
• Revenue of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023
• Operating income of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023
• Total assets of the InterContinental Hotels Group 2007-2023

• Hi, My Account Subscriptions --> My KT Trading Contact Us Privacy Notice Sign Out

Tue, Apr 30, 2024 | Shawwal 22, 1445

Dubai 20°C

• Expo City Dubai
• Emergencies
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Umm Al Quwain

Life and Living

• Visa & Immigration in UAE
• Banking in UAE
• Schooling in UAE
• Housing in UAE
• Ramadan 2024
• Saudi Arabia
• Philippines
• Cryptocurrency
• Infrastructure
• Currency Exchange
• Horse Racing
• Local Sports

Entertainment

• Local Events

Dubai World Cup

• Track Notes
• Big Numbers
• Daily Updates
• Arts & Culture
• Mental Health
• Relationships
• Staycations
• UAE Attractions
• Tech Reviews
• Motoring Reviews
• Movie Reviews
• Book reviews
• Restaurant Reviews
• Young Times

Supplements

• Back To School
• Eid-Al-Adha
• It’s Summer Time
• Leading Universities
• Higher Education
• India Real Estate Show
• Future Of Insurance
• KT Desert Drive
• New Age Finance & Accounting Summit
• Digital Health Forum
• Subscriptions
• UAE Holidays
• Year of the 50th
• Latest News
• Prayer Timings
• Cinema Listings
• Inspired Living
• Advertise With Us
• Privacy Notice

KT APPDOWNLOAD

Uae tourism sector set to boost gdp share to dh236b in 2024, national tourism strategy 2031 aims to increase the contribution of the uae tourism sector to the national gdp to dh450 billion.

• Follow us on

Top Stories

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents

Published: Mon 29 Apr 2024, 9:10 PM

The buoyant tourism sector’s contribution to the UAE’s national economy is expected to rise to Dh236 billion in 2024, positioning the country right on track to achieve its goal of boosting tourism’s GDP share to Dh450 billion by 2031, according to the country's Minister of Economy.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, said the tourism sectors’ share in the country’s gross domestic product grew by a significant 26 per cent in 2023 compared to that of 2022 and surpassed 2019 levels by 14 per cent.

Tourism’s contribution to the country's GDP amounted to Dh220 billion, accounting for 11.7 per cent. “This is expected to rise in 2024 to Dh236 billion, equivalent to 12 per cent of the country's GDP,” he said, quoting a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The minister, who led the UAE delegation at the Riyadh forum, said the National Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to increase the contribution of the UAE tourism sector to the national GDP to Dh450 billion, raising the country's profile as the best tourism identity by the next decade. “Besides, through the launch of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, the country has set an ambitious target to achieve annual production of up to 700 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030,” Al Marri said at the conference titled “International Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development.”

“In addition, this vital sector provided 809,000 jobs in various activities and tourism fields in the country in 2023, equivalent to 12.3 per cent of the total labour market. With five per cent growth from 2022, exceeding 2019 levels with 11.4 per cent growth, the number of jobs it creates is expected to reach 833,000 in 2024. There are currently 1,235 hotels in the UAE providing a total of 210,000 rooms for guests and visitors,” Al Marri said.

The minister noted that efforts are underway in collaboration with other GCC partners to launch the unified GCC tourist visa. “Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading destinations for regional and international tourists alike.”

“The UAE is committed to promoting sustainability, not just in the tourism industry but across diverse economic and environmental sectors, safeguarding resources, wealth, and natural reserves,” he said, emphasising that sustainability is key to boosting the tourism sector’s growth in the immediate future, particularly given the current global environmental and social challenges. “It calls for strengthening collaborative efforts across all fronts and levels to attain a harmony between economic and environmental progress as well as social accountability.” The minister also stressed the importance of ecotourism in supporting the sustainability of the tourism sector and preserving natural reserves and desert attractions.

The minister highlighted the UAE's commitment to enhancing the regional and global tourism infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of the sector. He indicated that there are challenges ahead for sustainable tourism, most notably the necessity to upskill the workforce, improving their performance and expertise in tourism, and fostering innovation and creativity across various tourism fields and activities.

The UAE, the minister added, attaches significant importance to the tourism sector, recognising it as a key contributor to national economic growth and enhancing its competitiveness and diversity. “The country has successfully highlighted its tourism diversity in the past phase, promoting the unique features and characteristics of all seven emirates, with the aim of attracting more global companies to its markets. These achievements encourage national and foreign investments in tourism projects, thereby consolidating the UAE's position on the travel and tourism landscape at regional and global levels.”

• [email protected]

More news from Business

Dubai: interest-free loans announced for some businesses hit by heavy rains.

The special incentive allows eligible companies to obtain interest-free loans of a maximum of Dh300,000 with a grace period of 6 to 12 months

business 3 days ago -->

GCC’s project awards jump 20% to $45b despite geopolitical headwinds

The regional upswing also defies oil production cutbacks

business 5 days ago -->

Emirates Islamic reports record Q1 2024 profit of Dh811 million

This success was underpinned by a robust 19% growth in total income

Emirates NBD's Q1 2024 profit surges 67% to Dh6.7 billion

The group’s asset base surpassed Dh900 billion

Abu Dhabi raises $5b with first treasury bonds since 2021

Issuance is spread across three maturity periods — five, 10 and 30 years

The UAE is the obvious choice for a pharma manufacturing hub

Nation has always enjoyed the advantages of geography and political stability

Bespoke travel firm seeks expansion in GCC

Travel Tricks explores collaboration for MICE opportunities

UAE aims to roll out 6G before 2030, allowing people to transmit human senses

6G will further elevate capabilities of robots, AI, autonomous transport and remote surgery/diagnostics among others

business 6 days ago -->

Type your keywords

Our corporate organisation

The people behind the brand

Projects that enhance the Dubai visitor experience

Permits, classifications , Holiday Homes, tour guides

Information and registration for suppliers

Study tourism and shape Dubai's travel stories

Delivering local expertise

Take visitors on a journey

Become an safari adventure guide

Become an expert of the Dubai offering

Raising service standards for exceptional visitor experiences

Official press releases from DET

The latest industry circulars and legislative news

The latest industry research and insights from DET

Full list of establishments that adhere to the official safety measures

Send us a message and we will do our best to help

Report wrongdoing within the industry

• Research and insights

Tourism Performance Report January - December 2023

Performance reports

Wed, January 17, 2024

Dubai welcomed 17.15M overnight visitors in Jan - Dec 2023, with an increase of +19% compared to Jan - Dec 2022.

Do you like it? Share it

Total international visitors

• 17.15 M in 2023
• 14.36 M in 2022
• 16.73 M in 2019