Tourexpi
WTTC: International Traveller Spend in the UAE to Reach Record AED 228,5 Billion in 2025
According
to the WTTC’s annual Economic Impact Research (EIR), 2025 is set to be another
milestone year for the UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector. The industry is
expected to contribute AED 267.5 billion to the national economy, accounting
for nearly 13% of the UAE’s GDP, and support more than 925,000 jobs by
year-end.
Domestic
tourism is also experiencing robust growth, with domestic visitor spend
projected to reach AED 60 billion, 47% higher than 2019 levels—underscoring the
resilience and vitality of the local travel market.
Strategic
Vision and Global Leadership
Julia
Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, praised the UAE’s leadership:
“The
UAE continues to lead the way in global Travel & Tourism. From cutting-edge
smart cities to exceptional hospitality and seamless visa systems, the country
is a model of how strategic vision drives economic growth.”
She
highlighted government-led initiatives such as the Tourism Strategy 2031 and
the National Tourism Charter as pivotal to fostering a future-proof,
sustainable, and innovative tourism sector.
2024
in Review
In
2024, the UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed AED 257.3 billion to
the national economy and supported 898,600 jobs, accounting for almost one in
eight jobs in the country. International visitors spent AED 217.3 billion,
while domestic tourism contributed AED 57.6 billion.
Looking
Ahead to 2035
WTTC
projects the sector’s contribution to reach nearly AED 287.8 billion by 2035,
representing 10.4% of national GDP, with employment expected to exceed 1
million jobs, reinforcing the sector’s key role in economic diversification.
Regional
Outlook: Middle East
Across
the Middle East, Travel & Tourism added $341.9 billion to regional GDP in
2024 and supported 7.3 million jobs. For 2025, WTTC forecasts further growth,
with GDP contribution reaching $367.3 billion and jobs climbing to 7.7 million.
For
full insights and WTTC’s latest Environmental Social Research (ESR), visit the
WTTC Research Hub.
Image
Credit: © AA
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