The Emirates Tourism Council has held its third meeting of 2025, chaired by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Council, with the participation of chairpersons and directors general of local tourism authorities across the UAE.
Al Marri confirmed that the UAE’s tourism sector continues to perform strongly, underpinned by national strategies that position it as a key driver of non-oil GDP and a cornerstone of the country’s economic diversification.
Hotel establishment revenues exceeded AED 26 billion in the first half of 2025, a 6.3 per cent rise on the same period last year. Occupancy reached 80.5 per cent in the six months to June, reflecting sustained growth across the sector and the impact of coordinated public–private sector efforts. These results align with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which seeks to raise the sector’s contribution to AED 450 billion by the next decade.
“Through the Emirates Tourism Council, we continue our efforts to promote sustainable tourism development by fostering effective partnerships and launching innovative initiatives,” said Al Marri. “These efforts not only drive growth but also create exceptional travel experiences, provide opportunities for Emirati talents, and strengthen our national tourism identity globally.”
The Council reviewed a series of upcoming initiatives designed to reinforce the UAE’s tourism competitiveness and discussed mechanisms to ensure effective coordination with the private sector. Progress on recommendations from earlier meetings was also assessed.
