Expectations indicate continued growth in tourism in the UAE in the coming period, strengthening the country’s position as a leading tourist destination in the region and the world.
The tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates witnessed an exceptional performance during the first quarter of 2024, as the country topped the global tourism scene and witnessed a large tourist influx from all countries of the world.
Expectations indicate that the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product for the current year will reach 12%, equivalent to 236 billion dirhams.
According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the country’s airports recorded a noticeable increase in the number of passengers during the first three months of the year, with the total number of passengers reaching 36.5 million passengers, an increase of 14.7% compared to the same period last year. Air traffic and air freight volume witnessed significant growth, supported by the activity of the trade, tourism and travel sectors in the country, as well as the increase in global demand for air travel.
The number of passengers in Abu Dhabi through the five airports operated by “Abu Dhabi Airports” during the first quarter of the year exceeded 6.9 million passengers, an increase of 35.6% compared to the same period last year. Zayed International Airport achieved significant growth in air traffic and passenger traffic, receiving more than 6.8 million passengers.
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In Dubai, Dubai International Airport recorded the best quarterly performance in its history, as it received 23 million passengers during the first quarter of this year, an increase of 8.4% compared to the same period last year. The emirate received 5.18 million international visitors during the first quarter of the year, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year.
Hotel establishments in Dubai achieved strong performance during the first quarter of the year, maintaining high occupancy levels, reaching an average of about 83%. Revenues recorded by hotel rooms in Dubai during the first three months of the year amounted to 5.9 billion dirhams, an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year.
In Sharjah, Sharjah Airport received more than 4.2 million passengers during the first quarter of this year, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.
In Ajman, tourism revenues increased by 7% during the first quarter of the year, as a result of the high hotel occupancy rate and the increase in the number of visitors.
The UAE continues its efforts to achieve the goals of the “National Tourism Strategy 2031,” including attracting tourism investments to the state worth 100 billion dirhams, attracting 40 million hotel guests annually, and raising the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product to 450 billion dirhams.
