Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, announced that the revenue from hotel establishments in the country has exceeded 26 billion dirhams during the first half of the year, showing a growth rate of 6.3% compared to the same period last year. The hotel occupancy rate also reached 80.5% in the first six months of this year, reflecting the ongoing momentum in this vital sector. This growth is supported by collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, contributing to the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy to 450 billion dirhams over the next decade.
During the council’s third meeting for 2025, which he chaired alongside local tourism authority leaders, Al Marri emphasized that the UAE’s tourism sector continues to perform exceptionally well under the wise guidance of the leadership, focusing on enhancing this strategic sector as a means to boost the non-oil GDP and transition towards a new economic model.
He stated, “We are committed to our efforts in the UAE Tourism Council to promote the future of sustainable tourism development in the country by fostering effective partnerships between the public and private sectors. We are launching innovative tourism initiatives and projects that not only enhance tourism growth but also create exceptional experiences, provide unique opportunities for UAE nationals, and reinforce our tourism identity on the global stage.”
The meeting reviewed a variety of new and future tourism initiatives and projects aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the UAE’s tourism sector in the upcoming period. Discussions included the mechanisms to implement these initiatives and the importance of collaboration among tourism entities and the private sector to ensure the achievement of relevant targets. Additionally, the council followed up on recommendations from the previous meeting, reviewing the progress made thus far.
The agenda also covered the UAE’s preparations to host the “UAE-Africa Investment in Tourism Summit” on October 27, as part of the “Global Hospitality Future Summit.” This summit will see the participation of tourism ministers and senior officials from 53 African nations, acting as a prominent platform to strengthen strategic partnerships and explore investment opportunities in sustainable tourism infrastructure and specialized tourism products. This event reinforces the UAE’s role as a trusted partner in tourism investment and as a connector between African and global markets.
The council was briefed on the tourism plans and programs presented by local tourism authorities from various Emirates during the meeting. This included presentations on achievements from the first nine months of the year, as well as their new development plans for 2026, which comprise initiatives aimed at enhancing the UAE’s status as a leading tourist destination both regionally and globally.