UAE in Top 7 Countries for Tourist Spending in the World

Photo : Reuters

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) did really well in travel and tourism. The tourism sector added a huge amount—AED 257.3 billion—to the country’s economy. That is about 13% of the total income of the country. This number went up by 3.2% compared to 2023 and was 26% higher than the amount seen before COVID-19 in 2019.

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Why This Is a Big Deal
Because of this strong growth, the UAE is now among the top seven countries in the world where international tourists spend the most money.

How Much Did Tourists Spend?
In 2024, people from other countries who visited the UAE spent over AED 217 billion.
People living in the UAE, who travelled within their own country, spent around AED 57 billion.
This shows that both international and local travel are growing fast in the country.

What UAE Leaders Said
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, said that this success proves how strong and varied the country’s economy is becoming.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, said that these results came from smart planning and strong decisions. He also talked about the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. The goal of this plan is to raise the tourism sector’s income to AED 450 billion and to welcome 40 million hotel guests every year.

Where Are the Tourists Coming From?

• India: 14%
• United Kingdom: 8%
• Russia: 8%
• China: 5%
• Saudi Arabia: 5%
• Other countries: 60%

This shows that people from all over the world are visiting the UAE.

What’s Expected in 2025?
Experts believe that international visitors will spend about AED 228.5 billion in 2025. The tourism industry could add AED 267.5 billion to the UAE’s economy.
Domestic tourism, where UAE residents travel within the country, is also expected to rise, with spending reaching up to AED 60 billion.

Why Tourists Love Visiting the UAE
The UAE has many things that attract tourists: world-class airports, easy visa rules, beautiful places, luxury shopping, and clean, safe cities. The country is also working on eco-friendly and green tourism projects so that growth doesn’t harm nature.