The travel and tourism sector in the UAE continues to strengthen its position as one of the key sectors supporting the national economy, backed by a diverse range of destinations and tourism experiences, advanced infrastructure, and strong coordination among local tourism authorities.
During its meeting chaired by Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, and attended by the heads of local tourism authorities, the UAE Tourism Council reviewed the latest developments in the performance of the national tourism sector, as well as several initiatives and measures aimed at enhancing the integration of the country’s tourism ecosystem, unifying promotional efforts, and strengthening the competitiveness of the UAE as a tourism destination regionally and internationally.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market 2026, which serves as an important platform for exploring opportunities for cooperation, developing tourism products and experiences, and expanding the UAE’s presence in international markets.
AED 251.3 Billion Contribution of Tourism to the UAE Economy
Bin Touq stressed that the UAE continues to strengthen the competitiveness of its tourism sector and consolidate its position as a leading and sustainable global tourism destination, benefiting from the diversity of its tourism products and experiences, the development of its infrastructure, and the integration of its national ecosystem. He noted that the travel and tourism sector contributed around AED 251.3 billion to the UAE economy in 2025, representing growth of 3% compared with 2024 and more than 22.2% compared with 2019, while international visitor spending reached around AED 209 billion in 2025, reflecting the importance of national tourism’s contribution to economic development.
These indicators highlight the growing role of the travel and tourism sector in supporting economic activity in the UAE, as the country continues to develop its destinations and strengthen its ability to attract visitors from regional and international markets.
Arabian Travel Market Strengthens Tourism Cooperation
He said that the UAE Tourism Council meeting, held alongside Arabian Travel Market 2026, reflects the importance of unifying visions and efforts among the various tourism entities in the country, while benefiting from the exhibition’s position as a global platform to strengthen cooperation, integrate national efforts, develop tourism products and experiences, and expand the presence and competitiveness of the UAE as a destination in international markets during the coming period.
The meeting reflects the commitment of tourism authorities across the country to enhancing coordination and joint efforts in support of tourism product development, expanding the promotion of the UAE as a destination, and building on the strong international position of the country’s tourism sector.
Supporting Eco-Tourism in the UAE
The UAE Tourism Council also discussed several topics related to the sustainable growth of the sector, with a particular focus on mechanisms for supporting the National Eco-Tourism Policy recently announced by the country.
The council noted that the UAE is home to 55 nature reserves, in addition to 4,900 hectares that have been rehabilitated across deserts, mountains, and beaches. These assets strengthen the country’s natural foundations for developing eco-tourism and expanding sustainable tourism experiences.
The meeting also addressed ways to encourage community participation in the development of eco-tourism and promote a culture of responsible tourism, supporting the protection of natural resources while strengthening the connection between tourism activities and sustainability principles.
Unified Standards for Beach and Marine Activity Safety
The council emphasized the importance of establishing a unified national safety standard for coastal areas, covering beaches, waterfronts, and marine activities, in a move that would enhance visitor protection and preserve the UAE’s strong reputation as a tourism destination.
This comes alongside the continued expansion of coastal and nature-based offerings and experiences across the country, providing visitors with a wider range of choices and further diversifying the national tourism product.
The council agreed to complete the review of the environmental policy within 30 days, with each emirate nominating one flagship experience. The move is expected to support the diversification of tourism experiences linked to nature and coastal environments while highlighting the unique strengths of each emirate.
Developing Tourism Beyond Major Cities
The council also reviewed a number of initiatives aimed at developing tourism activity beyond the major cities, led by cooperation with the Emirates Villages project in coordination with the Emirates Council for Balanced Development.
This approach aims to broaden the benefits of tourism activity to include more areas and villages, while highlighting their cultural, natural, and community assets that can be developed into new tourism experiences.
The council also discussed ways to benefit from the Best Tourism Villages initiative of the United Nations Tourism organization, in addition to exchanging best practices and expertise with the models presented through the global program.
These initiatives can contribute to diversifying the UAE’s national tourism products and experiences while creating opportunities for more local destinations to benefit from the continued growth of tourism activity across the country.
