His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to social media to highlight the UAE’s growing prominence as a tourist destination and the surge it has witnessed in tourist spending.
“In a new indicator of the strength and diversity of our national economy, a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlighted the exceptional achievements of the UAE’s tourism sector. Total international visitor spending exceeded AED217 billion during the previous year, in addition to domestic tourism spending of AED57 billion,” the Ruler of Dubai said.
He also highlighted that the UAE is one of the top seven global destinations in international tourist spending, outperforming countries that preceded it in this field by hundreds of years.
“We welcome tourists and investors, embrace talent, and build the best environment for living, tourism and visiting,” he concluded.
International visitor spending to hit record AED228.5 billion in 2025
The latest data from the WTTC has revealed that international tourist spending in the UAE is set to reach a record AED228.5 billion in 2025, 37 percent above the previous peak of 2019. The global tourism body’s annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows that Travel & Tourism in the UAE is set for another record year in 2025, with the sector forecast to contribute AED267.5 billion to the national economy, accounting for almost 13 percent of GDP.
According to the research, by the end of the year, Travel & Tourism will also support more than 925,000 jobs. Domestic tourist spending is also projected to reach a record high of AED60 billion, 47 percent above 2019, highlighting the continued strength of the UAE’s local travel market.
These milestones reflect the UAE’s leadership in driving innovation, sustainability and seamless connectivity across its cities and attractions, powered by initiatives such as smart city development, world-class infrastructure and a laser focus on visitor experience.
“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. With initiatives like the Tourism Strategy 2031 and the National Tourism Charter, the UAE is building a future-ready sector rooted in sustainability and innovation. With strong leadership and public-private alignment, 2025 is set to mark yet another chapter in the UAE’s remarkable tourism success story,” stated Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO.
Read: Dubai welcomes 8.68 million tourists in first five months of 2025
Tourism to create 1 million jobs by 2035
According to the data, in 2024, the sector contributed AED257.3 billion to the UAE economy and supported 898,600 jobs, making up nearly one in eight jobs in the country. Spending from international tourists in the UAE reached AED217.3 billion, while domestic visitor spending injected AED57.6 billion into the national economy.
Looking ahead to the next 10 years, WTTC forecasts the sector will contribute nearly AED287.8 billion to the economy by 2035, representing 10.4 percent of the UAE’s national GDP. The workforce is also expected to exceed 1 million jobs, underscoring the sector’s central role in economic diversification and national growth.
