The UAE has recorded a sharp expansion in tourism and aviation-linked businesses, with commercial licences across tourism, hospitality, aviation, air transport, aviation technologies, and digital tourism solutions reaching 39,546 by mid-September 2025, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism.
The figure represents a 275% increase compared with mid-September 2020, underscoring the impact of regulatory reforms and the country’s ongoing efforts to position tourism as a central pillar of its economic diversification agenda.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on World Tourism Day 2025, Al Marri said: “Continuous reforms to business and investment laws have enhanced the UAE’s attractiveness to international capital and companies, creating new opportunities across tourism and hospitality sectors.”
The UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 remains at the core of this expansion, with new initiatives—including the sixth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, set for December—expected to further boost domestic and inbound tourism.
Al Marri highlighted ongoing partnerships with local and global stakeholders to train Emirati talent, attract investment into the travel and hospitality sector, and expand start-up support programs. He also noted the UAE’s growing focus on Africa, with the UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit scheduled for October during the Future Hospitality Summit.
GCC markets continue to be a critical source of visitors, with 3.3 million arrivals from the region expected in 2024. Saudi Arabia led the inflow with 1.9 million visitors, followed by Oman (777,000), Kuwait (381,000), Bahrain (123,000), and Qatar (93,000).
The upcoming unified GCC tourist visa, expected to launch in pilot phase in Q4 2025, is seen as a transformative step in regional tourism integration, strengthening the Gulf’s position as a collective global destination.
–Input WAM
