His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has reviewed the business report of the Emirates Tourism Council and examined the key achievements of the UAE tourism sector for 2025.
The UAE recorded sustained growth across the tourism sector in 2025, with hotel establishment guests increasing to more than 32 million, representing a 5.1 percent rise compared to 2024. Hotel establishment revenues also grew significantly, reaching approximately $13 billion (AED 49.21 billion), marking a 9.7 percent increase over the previous year.
The total number of hotel rooms reached 217,000, distributed across more than 1,240 hotel establishments. The hotel occupancy rate stood at 79.5 percent, among the highest in the region and globally, reflecting strong demand and sustained performance.
The UAE tourism sector recorded strong growth in 2025, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s leading travel and hospitality destinations. The sector benefited from increased international arrivals, high hotel occupancy rates, infrastructure investments, and government-led tourism strategies.
Dubai remained the primary tourism hub, attracting a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors, supported by major global events, enhanced aviation connectivity, luxury hospitality developments, and strategic destination marketing campaigns. Abu Dhabi also strengthened its position in cultural and cruise tourism, while Ras Al Khaimah recorded significant growth in visitor numbers and tourism revenues.
The national tourism sector’s achievements also included hotel nights reaching 100 million. The UAE ranked first across the Middle East and North Africa region and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024.
