Now hiring: There are nearly 1 million jobs in UAE’s travel, tourism sector this year

Abu Dhabi: The UAE is set to become a major jobs 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 new dew data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – a global travel and tourism private sector trade body.

This means, the sector will create an additional 26,000+ jobs this year. The WTTC's annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows unprecedented growth, highlighting the UAE's strong recovery and ambitious plans.

According to the EIR, international visitor spending in the UAE is projected to hit a record Dh228.5 billion in 2025. This figure represents a significant jump, 37 per cent higher than the previous peak in 2019.

The report 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).

Domestic travel is also flourishing, with local visitor spending projected to reach a new high of Dh60 billion – an increase of 47 per cent 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.”

She added that 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, setting the stage for another remarkable year in 2025.

In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed Dh257.3 billion to the UAE economy and supported 898,600 jobs, representing nearly one in eight jobs in the country. Dubai alone welcomed a record 18.72 million international visitors, a 9 per cent increase year-over-year, according to official sources.

Spending from international visitors reached Dh217.3 billion, while domestic visitor spending injected Dh57.6 billion into the national economy.

The WTTC predicts that by 2035, the sector will contribute nearly Dh287.8 billion to the UAE economy, making up 10.4 per cent of the national GDP. The workforce is expected to exceed 1 million jobs as well.

The UAE's tourism appeal continues to grow, with a slew of exciting new attractions announced, particularly in Abu Dhabi, cementing its status as a major global leisure destination. Among the highly anticipated additions to the capital's landscape is the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, set to open on Saadiyat Island. Yas Island also continues its rapid expansion.

Harry Potter World is confirmed to be coming to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. Additionally, Yas Waterworld is undergoing a significant expansion, introducing 12 new rides and slides set to open this summer, including the UAE's tallest waterslide. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is also preparing to unveil a new "record-breaking" roller coaster. Perhaps the biggest news for future tourism is the recent announcement of a new Disney theme park resort on Yas Island, a collaboration between The Walt Disney Company and Miral.

Beyond the theme parks and museums, Abu Dhabi is also investing in unique experiences like teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, an interactive digital art experience that has already seen strong visitation.