UAE Hotel Occupancy Nears 80% as Tourism Revenues Climb

Hotel occupancy rates in the United Arab Emirates reached 79.3% during the first ten months of 2025, placing the country among the highest globally, according to figures shared by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. Hotel revenues totalled AED 89 billion over the same period, supported by a nationwide inventory of 1,243 hotel establishments offering more than 216,000 rooms.

Tourism contributed 13% of the UAE’s gross domestic product in 2024, equivalent to AED 257.3 billion, and currently supports more than 920,000 jobs across the economy. The government has set a target to raise the sector’s contribution to 17% within the next five years as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.

Tourism-related investment also continued to rise, reaching AED 32.2 billion in 2024 compared to AED 28.8 billion in 2023. Investments are projected to increase further to AED 35.2 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting sustained confidence in the sector’s growth trajectory.

The figures were outlined on the sidelines of the launch of the sixth edition of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, held under the slogan ‘Our Winter is Entrepreneurial’. The initiative focuses on stimulating domestic tourism while supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship across the country’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.