UAE Hotel Revenues Hit AED 26 Billion in H1 2025—6.3% Growth Cements Role as Global Tourism Leader

The United Arab Emirates’ hotel industry has posted historic revenue of AED 26 billion (approx. US$7.1 billion) in the first half of 2025—a 6.3% increase over last year’s already strong results. This robust performance signals the UAE’s continued rise as a world tourism leader and aligns with its ambitious Tourism Strategy 2031 to drive national economic impact up to AED 450 billion by the next decade.

Occupancy rates reached a remarkable 80.5% nationwide, spotlighting resilient demand from both international and domestic travelers. The sector’s growth is underpinned by ongoing investment in hotel infrastructure, innovative tourism offerings, and strong coordination between public and private stakeholders. The Emirates Tourism Council, led by Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, has emphasized the importance of nurturing Emirati talent, planning further global summits, and forging strategic partnerships, with the upcoming UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit expected to strengthen regional leadership even further.

Dubai continues to set records with nearly 9.9 million international visitors and hotel occupancy surpassing 81%, affirming its role as a global gateway for business, leisure, and luxury experience. These results not only reflect world-class hospitality standards and the UAE’s ability to attract marquee global events, but also lay the foundation for future innovations and broader sector expansion.

Key Points:

• UAE hotel revenue hits AED 26 billion (US$7.1 billion) in H1 2025—up 6.3% year-on-year.
• National occupancy rates average 80.5%; Dubai exceeds 81% with 9.9 million international visitors.
• Growth aligns with UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, aiming for AED 450 billion sector contribution within a decade.
• Strong performance driven by investment, public-private partnerships, and high-profile global events.
• Upcoming UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit to further boost international leadership and partnerships.

The UAE’s powerful hotel sector performance in H1 2025 affirms its status as a global travel heavyweight—setting new standards and creating broad momentum for sustainable and innovative tourism development.