The tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has witnessed a wave of recovery and growth since the beginning of the current year, highlighted by high performance indicators across various aspects of the sector. This bodes well for an exceptional tourist season, especially with the busy agenda of global events and major activities hosted by the country in the coming period.
The launch of the fourth edition of the “Best Winter in the World” campaign has dominated the tourism scene in the country this week. The campaign showcases the achievements of the hotel and national transport sectors, reflecting their global excellence and leadership.
The “Best Winter in the World” campaign was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. He stated, “Our national tourism sector is growing annually, thank God… and our goal is to reach a contribution of 450 billion dirhams to the gross domestic product by 2031.”
This year, the campaign is themed “Unforgettable Stories,” shedding light on the key attractions in each emirate of the UAE. It provides comprehensive support for all visitors with diverse programs and a calendar full of events and activities that reflect the diversity of the UAE’s environment and its unique social and cultural characteristics.
The UAE’s tourism sector has achieved positive performance indicators, with hotel revenues in the country reaching 32.2 billion dirhams from January to September 2023, marking a 27% growth compared to the same period in 2022. The number of hotel guests during the same period reached 20.2 million, showing a 12% growth compared to 2022. The hotel occupancy rate reached 75% during the first 9 months of the previous year, with a 6% growth compared to the same period in 2022.
Dubai was crowned the Best Global Destination in the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, for the third consecutive year. This is the first time the city has achieved this significant accomplishment.
The winners of these awards are selected in a unique way, as millions of travelers from around the world provide their independent reviews and opinions on various destinations, activities, and experiences.