UAE’s Tourism Sector to Contribute USD 123 Billion to GDP by 2031

The UAE’s tourism sector is projected to contribute USD 123 billion (AED 400 billion) to the country’s GDP by 2031, a projection which indicates the UAE’s placement as a top global travel destination.

The UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to attract around AED 100 billion in tourism investments by drawing in increased international tourism and an increased number of hotel bookings.

The tourism sector contributed AED 220 billion to the economy in 2023, a rise of 11.7%  since the preceding year. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates a rise of 12% at AED 236 billion by the end of 2024.

By July 2024, Dubai had attracted around 10.7 million visitors indicating an 8% increase since the same period last year, while Abu Dhabi’s hotels had welcomed around 3 million guests in the first half of 2024, generating around AED 3.6 billion in revenues.