The UAE’s hospitality sector recorded impressive growth in 2024, with hotel revenues reaching Dh45 billion. This reflects a 3% year-on-year increase.
Hotel occupancy rates climbed to 78% during the year. This ranked the UAE among the top destinations regionally and globally.
In addition, 16 new hotels opened across the country in 2024. The total number of hotels reached 1,251 by the end of the year.
The hotel room capacity also expanded. The number of available rooms grew by 3%, reaching 216,966 nationwide.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, shared these insights in a recent statement.
He noted that tourism continues to strengthen the national economy. It plays a key role in enhancing economic competitiveness and resilience.
Moreover, the sector supports the UAE’s transition toward a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
“We are committed to diversifying tourism offerings and building sector capabilities,” Al Marri said.
He added, “We also aim to empower Emirati talent and encourage investment across the tourism ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, hotel guest numbers also surged in 2024. Around 30.8 million guests stayed at hotels across the UAE last year.
This marks a 9.5% increase compared to 2023. It also represents 77% of the target set by the ‘National Tourism Strategy 2031’.
Notably, this target was achieved seven years ahead of schedule.
The strategy aims to attract 40 million hotel guests by 2031. With current growth, the UAE is well on track to reach that goal.
As tourism demand continues to rise, the country is focused on improving visitor experiences, expanding infrastructure, and driving sustainable development.
The UAE remains a top choice for global travelers, offering world-class hospitality, diverse attractions, and strong government support.
