At the beginning of 2025, the hospitality sector in the United Arab Emirates achieved a remarkable milestone, with hotel revenues reaching approximately 13.5 billion dirhams over three months. This strong performance reflects ongoing efforts to enhance and grow this vital industry, positioning the UAE as one of the leading destinations in the world of tourism.
Positive Performance of the Hotel Sector
The revenues of hotel establishments in the UAE witnessed significant growth, recording over 8.4 million guests in the first quarter of the current year. With a 2% increase compared to last year, the total number of overnight stays reached around 29.3 million. Additionally, hotel occupancy rates rose to 81.3%, reflecting the growing demand for tourism services and hotel facilities.
Hospitality Advisory Council Meeting
These results were revealed during the second meeting of the Hospitality Advisory Council for 2025, chaired by the Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, Abdullah bin Touq Al Mari. The meeting also included 16 executives from prominent hotels in the country and around the world. Several new initiatives aimed at enhancing growth in the hospitality sector and providing more job opportunities in collaboration with the private sector were discussed.
Investments in Infrastructure and Development
Bin Touq emphasized that the figures reflect the country’s commitment to developing the hospitality industry according to global best practices. Significant investments have been made to enhance hotel infrastructure and organize global events, contributing to hospitality experiences that reflect the authentic heritage and culture of the UAE.
Tourism Strategy Goals
During the meeting, the importance of supporting collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve the objectives outlined in the “National Tourism Strategy 2031” was confirmed. The goal is to make the UAE the best global tourist destination by the next decade. In this context, the council was informed about the new program “Summer Hospitality Camp 2025,” which aims to support localization in the fields of hospitality.
The UAE will continue to strengthen its position in the hospitality sector by enhancing and developing infrastructure, with a focus on providing unique experiences for visitors, making hotel revenues a key driver of economic growth in the country.