As the tourism sector in the UAE continued to grow, hotel establishments saw a rise in demand, generating AED33.5 billion ($9.12 billion) in revenues during the first nine months of 2024. This strong revenue reflects a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The average hotel occupancy rate across the UAE’s seven emirates rose to 77.8 percent, one of the highest globally. Hotel nights reached approximately 75.5 million from January to September 2024, marking an eight percent increase year-on-year.
Joint Arab action in tourism
This remarkable growth in the hotel sector was recently announced during the UAE delegation’s participation in the 27th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States General Secretariat in Cairo.
The UAE delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing joint Arab action in the tourism sector, emphasizing its role as a vital economic driver and a key contributor to sustainable development in the Arab region. The UAE delegation also noted that joint Arab tourism efforts extend beyond economic benefits, serving as a platform to foster cultural rapprochement, preserve the rich Arab heritage, and strengthen the shared identity of Arab peoples.
Intra-Arab tourism development
The 27th session discussed several topics aimed at promoting the tourism sector in Arab countries, especially in light of the challenges it faces as a result of geopolitical developments in the region. The council reviewed ambitious plans to develop intra-Arab tourism, focusing on the pivotal role played by the tourism sector in supporting the gross domestic product of Arab countries, improving the balance of payments, and increasing foreign and local currency resources.
The council also emphasized the importance of the sector’s role in providing new direct and indirect job opportunities and driving urban expansion through the creation of tourist and residential attractions.
The session’s agenda included a number of key topics, most notably the development of a joint regional tourism product under the title “Arab Tourism Region”, tourism innovation and the promotion of smart tourism, supporting joint tourism work between Arab countries, and enhancing the inclusivity of contemporary Arab tourist destinations.
The UAE has implemented several initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the hospitality sector across the seven emirates and their role in supporting the goals outlined in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.
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Hotels welcome 15.3 million guests in H1 2024
H.E Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, recently revealed that the hospitality sector has been witnessing significant growth since the beginning of this year, driven by the influx of tourists and a rising number of travelers within the country.
In the UAE, the hotel occupancy rates hit 80 percent, with a total of 15.3 million guests across the seven emirates in the first half of 2024. This represents a 10.5 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2023, underscoring the sector’s crucial role in boosting the national economy and enhancing its competitiveness.
