UAE international traveller spending to reach AED 229 billion in 2025: WTTC

UAE’s travel and tourism sector will contribute AED 267.5 billion to country’s economy this year: WTTC

In its annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) report, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a leading global tourism organisation, has projected that international visitor spending in the United Arab Emirates will reach AED 228.5 billion in 2025, a 37 pc increase from 2019.

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Five years after the pandemic, international visitor spending in the United Arab Emirates is expected to reach AED 228.5 billion ( USD 62.2 billion.) in 2025, says a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a leading global tourism organisation.

In a press statement, WTTC says that UAE’s travel and tourism sector will contribute AED 267.5 billion to country’s economy this year, accounting for nearly 13 pc of the country’s GDP. Additionally, the report also projects, that the sector will support more than 925,000 jobs.

It adds that domestic visitor spending is expected to reach a new high of AED 60 billion, marking a 47 pc increase from 2019 figures. These developments follow sustained investment in infrastructure and digital systems aimed at improving visitor flow and operational efficiency.

Julia Simpson

“The UAE continues to lead the way in global travel and tourism. From cutting-edge smart cities to exceptional hospitality and seamless visa systems, the country is a model of how strategic vision drives economic growth,” says Julia Simpson, President and CEO, WTTC.

In a press statement WTTC states that in 2024, the UAE’s travel and tourism sector contributed AED 257.3 billion to the national economy and supported 898,600 jobs, representing nearly one in eight roles in the country. Additionally, international visitor spending reached AED 217.3 billion, while domestic visitor spending totalled AED 57.6 billion.

The statement notes that by 2035, the UAE’s tourism sector is projected to contribute AED 287.8 billion to the economy, accounting for 10.4 pc of GDP. Consequently, employment in the sector is expected to surpass 1 million.

“With initiatives like the Tourism Strategy 2031 and the National Tourism Charter, the UAE is building a future-ready sector rooted in sustainability and innovation. With strong leadership and public-private alignment, 2025 is set to mark yet another chapter in the UAE’s remarkable tourism success story,” adds Simpson.