UAE ranks among top 7 global destinations for international tourist spending

Dubai: The UAE has cemented its position among the world’s leading tourism economies, ranking among the top seven global destinations for international tourist spending, according to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, described the achievement as a new milestone in the nation’s economic journey.

“In a new indicator of the strength and diversity of our national economy, the World Travel and Tourism Council highlighted exceptional achievements in the UAE’s tourism sector,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote in a post on his official X account.

“Total spending by international visitors exceeded Dh217 billion last year, with an additional Dh57 billion spent by domestic tourists.”

The UAE’s standing reflects its rapid ascent in a sector long dominated by older, more established tourism markets. “We have surpassed countries that preceded us in this field by hundreds of years,” Sheikh Mohammed noted. Reaffirming the UAE’s open-door ethos, he added: “We welcome tourists and investors, embrace talents, and build the best environment for living, tourism, and visiting. Welcome of the world.”

The figures underscore the central role of tourism in the UAE’s economic diversification strategy as the nation continues to position itself as a global hub for leisure, investment, and innovation.

Stellar 2025

The report from WTTC also forecasts another stellar year for the UAE's travel and tourism sector in 2025, with an anticipated contribution of Dh267.5 billion to the national economy. This impressive figure is expected to account for almost 13 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The UAE is also set to become a major job engine in the global travel industry, with nearly one million people expected to be employed in its travel and tourism sector this year.

By the close of 2025, the industry is also predicted to support more than 925,000 jobs, according to the global travel and tourism private sector trade body. This means the sector will create an additional 26,000+ jobs this year, according to WTTC's annual Economic Impact Research (EIR).

Domestic travel is also flourishing, with local visitor spending projected to reach a new high of Dh60 billion – a 47 per cent increase compared to 2019. This demonstrates the robust health of the UAE's internal travel market.

WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson said, “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.”