UAE's hotel revenues for the 11-month period from January to November 2025 rose to AED44.4 billion ($12 billion), up 8.8% over the previous year, mainly driven by an increase in the average daily rate, reported Wam.

The number of hotel guests increased to around 29.1 million, achieving growth of 5.2%, while hotel guest nights exceeded 99.4 million, up 6% compared to the same period in 2024.

The UAE tourism sector today represents a fundamental pillar and a key driver of sustainable development, contributing effectively to the national economy’s gross domestic product, remarked Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, on the sidelines of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) being held in Madrid, Spain.

The UAE achieved a number of prominent tourism milestones in 2025 at both regional and international levels, including the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term; that of Masfout as Best Tourism Village in the World for 2025; as well as the designation of Al Ain as Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026, following its selection as Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, he noted.

These achievements reflect the UAE’s distinguished standing in the tourism sector and its continued efforts to enhance competitiveness and develop sustainable tourism destinations regionally and globally, he added.

The tourism minister affirmed that the UAE and Spain enjoyed strong and strategic economic relations that reflect the shared vision of both friendly countries to expand cooperation and broaden joint partnerships at the economic, investment and tourism levels.

According to him, tourism represents a key pillar in strengthening bilateral relations, creating new opportunities for joint investment, enhancing cultural exchange and tourism expertise, and driving economic cooperation towards broader horizons while supporting sustainable growth in both countries.

"Guided by the vision of its leadership, the UAE has successfully consolidated its position as a leading global tourism destination, attracting millions of visitors annually from around the world and offering diverse and distinctive tourism experiences through advanced infrastructure, growth-supportive policies and innovative initiatives that have enhanced the sector’s competitiveness regionally and globally," he added.