UAE to see record AED228 billion inbound tourism spend

Tourism sector to account for 13% of GDP in 2025, reveals WTTC

Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the surge in post-pandemic tourism growth in the UAE, with international spend up 37% and domestic spend rising 47% compared to 2019.

That means international visitors could spend US$62.2 billion (AED228 billion) in 2025 and staycationers US$16.4 billion (AED60.2 billion), up 5.2% and 4.3% respectively.

With such spend, the UAE will likely see another record year in 2025, with the travel and tourism sector due to account for 13% of GDP and support more than 925,000 jobs, according to WTTC’s Economic Impact Research (EIR). 

“The UAE continues to lead the way in global travel and tourism,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, adding that the emirates is a model of "how strategic vision drives economic growth". 

RELATED:
Saudi Arabia sets “new benchmarks” in tourism, says WTTC
Hyatt sees 20% rise in summer bookings at UAE hotels
Abu Dhabi stopover scheme sees 76% visitor hike

Abu Dhabi is already seeing accelerated growth, with the UAE capital attracting 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 4% on the same period last year, which was also a record. International stopover visitors in 2024 to Abu Dhabi reached 85,000 and this is expected to increase to 130,000 this year, contributing to higher spends.

Regionally, the Middle East travel and tourism sector contributed US$342 billion (AED1.2 trillion) to GDP in 2024 according to WTTC, which says it will grow to US$367 billion (AED1.3 trillion) in 2025, up 7.3%.

WTTC’s EIR singled out Saudi Arabia for special mention, saying the kingdom is “ahead of the curve” when it comes to global growth, outperforming traditional markets, which are facing headwinds. The report states that Saudi is “setting new benchmarks”.

Despite economic uncertainty, WTTC says travel and tourism will grow strongly this year, with international visitor spending forecast to reach US$2.1 trillion in 2025, surpassing the previous pre-pandemic high of US$1.9 trillion in 2019.

For more information, visit wttc.org 

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE 76-PAGE CONNECTING TRAVEL INSIGHT REPORT TODAY