This performance aligns with the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which seeks to raise the sector’s contribution to the economy to AED 450 billion (US$122.5bn) by the next decade.
The United Arab Emirates recorded more than AED 26 billion (US$7bn) in hotel revenues during the first half of 2025, marking a 6.3% increase compared to the same period last year. According to local media, figures shared by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism show that nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 80.5%, reinforcing the country’s upward momentum in hospitality.
This performance aligns with the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which seeks to raise the sector’s contribution to the economy to AED 450 billion (US$122.5bn) by the next decade. The strategy forms part of the government’s broader vision to diversify income streams, reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, and boost non-oil GDP growth.
UAE Tourism Council Meeting
The data was released during the third UAE Tourism Council meeting of 2025, chaired by Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The session brought together heads of local tourism authorities to review mechanisms for implementing new initiatives, strengthen coordination with the private sector, and follow up on recommendations from previous meetings.
Local authorities also presented their 2025 tourism plans and outlined development projects for 2026, reflecting continued efforts to enhance the industry’s competitiveness.
Employment and Growth Outlook
The UAE’s tourism and hospitality sector employed nearly 809,000 people in 2023, representing over 12% of the national workforce. Dubai alone is expected to add 20,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, supporting the nation’s ambitious target of attracting 40 million annual hotel guests by 2031.
Wynn Resorts’ Landmark Development
Private investment in hotel infrastructure is also intensifying. Wynn Resorts is constructing a US$3.9 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open in 2027.
The project will feature 1,530 rooms and suites, dining and entertainment venues, and what could become the Gulf region’s first legal casino. It will also include a luxury marina developed in partnership with IGY Marinas and Marina Solutions International, offering 101 berths with concierge services and advanced docking systems tailored to high-net-worth clientele.
Land Reserved for a Second Resort
Wynn and its partners have also set aside nearly 1.5 million square feet of land on Al Marjan Island for a potential second integrated resort. The development parcels include a “Second IR site,” a Janu-branded parcel, luxury hotel and apartment sites, and broader “land reserves.”
