UAE’s Tourism Industry: Rebounding Stronger Than Ever

From Burj Khalifa to desert landscapes, UAE has it all to allure visitors from across the globe. It is no surprise to witness it as the 6th global destination in 2024. UAE tourism has reached a global position of 18th in the Travel and Tourism Index. This rise in the performance of the tourism industry goes hand-in-hand with the remarkable UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. 

The UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 is centred around economic and development initiatives to support the various related sectors. Its impact can also be found in the rise in GDP contribution of the tourism sector to up to AED 450 bn. By 2023, the GDP had reached AED 220 billion (Source). The good part is that all of this is evidential. Fortunately, this massive expansion of the tourism sector is still on the go. Let us take a closer look at the rise of the tourism sector in UAE.

 

Expansion of Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

Back in 1971, when the United Arab Emirates was founded, there was barely a hint of tourism. Something that existed was a need to support the nation’s economic development in addition to the contributions of the existing oil wealth.

Now, if we talk about the present-day scenario, Dubai, one of the prominent cities of the UAE, welcomed a whopping 10.62 million tourists. These statistics are just from the initial seven months of 2024.  Hotels in Abu Dabi were a temporary home for more than 2.87 million guests in the initial six months of 2024. 

The tourism industry of the United Arab Emirates deserves all the attention. Let us dedicate the coming section to learning about what tourism in the UAE has to offer:

 

Types of Tourism Experiences in UAE

The United Arab Emirates promises different experiences through its tourism industry. Take a look at this post to learn about them:

Luxury Tourism

As the term speaks for itself, luxury tourism revolves around high-end experiences and the UAE offers plenty. It boasts numerous luxury hotels and shopping centres. This attracts numerous tourists from multiple nations, including China, Russia, India, and Europe. 

Health Tourism 

Health concerns might not be the first thing associated with tourism. However, the most advanced technologies and rising healthcare facilities are enough to invite visitors to the UAE, eventually impacting tourism. It has also become a destination for several cosmetic treatments. 

Sports Tourism 

Being organized since 1996, the Dubai World Cup has become an engaging opportunity for visitors across the globe. Additionally, UAE features the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, hosting several international matches. However, these are not all, as the nation hosts golf tennis, motorsports, and many other events.

Business Tourism 

From meetings to conferences and seminars, the UAE offers many promising opportunities for corporate travel. It is true that business travel is completely related to professional objectives, but these trips can also be associated with leisure. Business travels often explore major landmarks, cultural growth, and shopping opportunities. 

Eco-Tourism 

The United Arab Emirates offers an alluring landscape. Tourists from all over the world are allured with desert safaris, camping, mountain climbing, and many other activities. This is clearly a big appealing factor for the visitors, eventually impacting tourism.

Sustainable Tourism 

The UAE has been pretty quick in realizing the rise in environmental consciousness, increasing the attention towards sustainable travel. A quick understanding of this shift has opened the possibilities for similar initiatives. From renewable energy projects to eco-friendly resorts, there are many.

 

Impact of Rising Tourism in UAE

In the initial section of this post, you learned about the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP of the UAE. In fact, 11.9% of the GDP had resulted from the tourism industry itself. (Source) Let us tell you that the figure was a mere 9% in 2022. The year 2022 witnessed a whopping revenue of AED 167 billion. The hotels alone contributed up to 38 billion worth of revenue. 

By the end of 2024, the tourism industry can support the UAE’s GDP by more than AED 236 BN. This can bring a rise in the job opportunities of 23,500 approx, reaching 8,33,000. By the time the next decade ends, the tourism industry can offer employment opportunities to over 9,28,000 people. 

 

The Business Possibilities To Avail of

This massive growth and expansion of tourism in the UAE has also opened up the possibility of starting a business journey for many. Anyone interested can find several business opportunities associated with the tourism industry. These include:

 

• Hospitality Sector: This sector welcomes opportunities like resorts, hotels, boutique lounging, and serviced apartments. 
• Travel Agencies: This kind of business can let you manage the travel and tour services, including tours, accommodation, transport, etc. 
• Food and Beverages: Investing in the food and beverage industry can open up opportunities like restaurants, cafes, culinary tours, event catering, etc. 
• Entertainment and Recreation: You can invest in entertainment mediums, such as water sports, activities, and other hubs. 
• Retail and Souveniers: With this, you can invest in traditional markets, souks, local artefacts, and even high-end malls. 

 

Final Thoughts

As of now, The United Arab Emirates has become one of the wealthiest nations across the globe. It is supported by its oil reserves, cultural heritage, and most importantly, the tourism industry. It alone has contributed to 11.9% of the nation’s GDP in 2023. This increasing rise in the industry can also be associated with opportunities for business-minded individuals. 

Establishing a business in the UAE is a lucrative move, requiring you to understand certain considerations. To begin, you need to look after the licensing processes and regulatory landscape, among other considerations. 

Fortunately, Trinity Group offers assistance in establishing your business in the UAE. Regardless of the kind of business you want to start in alignment with the tourism industry, you can claim tailored solutions. The right expertise and enormous experience are what your business needs to expand, and Trinty Group is where you can find that.