Tourist spending in 2022 in the UAE increased by 70% to reach over $32 billion, the highest in the region. The country considers tourism is key to diversifying its economy and boosting its global competitiveness. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who visited the Arabian Travel Market 2023, announced plans to host 40 million tourists in the next seven years, increasing the sector’s contribution to the economy. 

“Global tourism has rebounded after three years of decline. The UAE’S tourism sector has also made a strong comeback, with tourist spending in 2022 increasing by 70% to reach AED 121 billion, leading the region,” he tweeted.

“We have set a target of reaching 40 million tourists within seven years and increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to our GDP to Dh450 billion. We remain committed to developing all sectors of our national economy, with the goal of building the best and most active economy in the world,” he added.

During my visit today to the Arabian Travel Market 2023, which hosts 2,000 tourism entities from 150 countries around the world.

Global tourism has rebounded after three years of decline. The UAE’S tourism sector has also made a strong comeback, with tourist spending in 2022… pic.twitter.com/Iynxe8qoCX

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 1, 2023

Sheikh Mohammed announced last November that the country wants to attract grand investments of around USD 27 billion in the tourism sector by 2031. 

The country’s tourism strategy includes over a dozen initiatives and policies to support the sector’s development, including travel, aviation, and hospitality, attract more international companies to the local market, and develop tourism data and statistics.