UAE tourism set for major expansion amid regional travel boom
4 June 2025 00:21
KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI) The UAE's tourism industry is poised to see unprecedented growth, with new data from the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 predicting robust gains across key areas, including luxury travel, business tourism, and regional sports-driven segments. Released this week in Dubai, the report presents a rosy outlook for the nation's travel sector, backed by strategic investments, rising visitor numbers, and an expanding international profile.Produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, the report forecasts that tourism spending across the Middle East will reach $350 billion by 2030, a 50% increase from 2024 levels. The UAE, home to two of the region's most dynamic tourism hubs, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is expected to play a central role in this surge.'The report's findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7% through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum,' said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. Total tourism nights in the UAE are expected to grow by 10% in 2025 and an annualised rate of 6% to 2030, with Dubai alone projected to see a 14% increase, the report said. While Abu Dhabi's tourism nights dipped by 1% in 2024, the capital is still investing heavily in infrastructure, experiences, and luxury properties to reverse the trend.Inbound travel to the UAE is on a strong trajectory, growing by 11% annually, while outbound travel is also rising, particularly to the UK, Thailand, and France.The report found that visitors to the UAE are increasingly drawn by leisure (35%) and business (25%) travel, supported by improved connectivity and bold national visions. The country is also embracing travel technology: 60% of UAE travellers now trust AI to plan their trips, compared to a global average of 48%.
Top Choice for Wealthy Visitors Tourism Economics found that luxury tourism remains a core driver of the UAE's appeal. The report reveals that nearly 100 out of the Middle East's over 170 luxury hotels are located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with 22 more currently under development. Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, for example, was highlighted as an emerging key destination for affluent travellers. The rise of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth visitors to the UAE is set to fuel a broader shift in regional hospitality. The Middle East, and the UAE in particular, is attracting travellers who are not only spending more but also seeking immersive, curated experiences.'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60% habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling compared to under 40% among travellers who favour other destinations,' added Curtis.
'Bleisure' and Sports Business travel is also booming in the UAE, with the report expecting the segment to grow 1.5 times faster than the global average through 2030. The nation's central location between Asia, Africa, and Europe, coupled with state-of-the-art infrastructure, is positioning it as a global hub for business events and conferences.This has led to the emergence of the 'bleisure' trend where business trips are extended to include leisure time — especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where shopping, entertainment, and beach resorts offer seamless transitions between work and relaxation, the report said. Moreover, with Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the entire Gulf region — including the UAE — is expected to benefit from a 63% surge in sports tourism.
Golf, motorsports, football, cycling, and esports are all gaining traction across the UAE, bolstered by new venues and global tournaments. This influx is driving demand for hotels, air travel, and on-ground services, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi at the forefront of event-driven tourism.
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