Emirates Tourism Council discusses new action plans to enhance the growth and resilience of the sector in the coming period

Number of hotel guests in the UAE reached 32.34 million in 2025 - the highest ever recorded in a single year in the history of UAE tourism

 The Emirates Tourism Council convened its second meeting of 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and attended by heads and directors general of local tourism departments from across the country. The meeting reviewed new action plans aimed at accelerating the recovery of the sector and enhancing its growth and sustainability across the UAE in the coming period, considering the current developments in the region and their impact on travel and tourism flows.

H.E. Bin Touq affirmed that the UAE, guided by the directives of its wise leadership, has succeeded in strengthening its position as a leading, resilient global model in the development and governance of the tourism sector. This has been achieved through the delivery of an exceptional tourism experience founded on proactivity, high preparedness, and a rapid response to various challenges. The UAE has also demonstrated its ability to safeguard the gains of the national tourism sector, ensure its sustainability, and further enhance its global competitiveness.

H.E. said: “The tourism sector in the UAE recorded strong performance in 2025, with the number of hotel guests reaching 32.34 million – the highest figure ever recorded in a single year in the history of UAE tourism – compared to 30.75 million guests in 2024, representing a 5.2 per cent growth. The number of guest nights exceeded 110.62 million nights, compared to 104.45 million nights in the previous year, up nearly 5.9 per cent.”

H.E. added: “Hotel revenues in the UAE markets increased by 9.7 per cent to reach AED 49.21 billion last year, compared to that of 2024, with hotel occupancy reaching 79.3 per cent. Also, the number of hotel rooms totalled 217,000 by the end of 2025.”

The Minister of Economy and Tourism noted that these positive indicators reflect the sector’s key role in supporting the national economy and strengthening its competitiveness at regional and global levels. They also serve as a strong incentive to continue the national efforts aimed at enhancing the growth and sustainability of the sector amid current conditions.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and local tourism development departments from the beginning of the crisis till date, which contributed to enhancing visitor safety and ensuring a seamless tourism experience in the UAE. These included the provision of diverse accommodation solutions and integrated logistical support services. It witnessed the strengthening of institutional coordination among relevant entities to ensure rapid and effective response to any emerging developments that may affect the sector.

The Council concluded its meeting by underscoring the importance of strengthening joint action and sustaining coordination among federal and local entities. This includes ensuring the integration of roles and alignment of visions in addressing challenges, enhancing national response capabilities, and supporting the continued development of the tourism sector and its readiness in the face of future developments.