Tourism helps UAE add $158bn to GDP in six years

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Al Wathba Fossil Dunes in Abu Dhabi. WAM
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  • UAE’s total annual visitor spending is expected to reach about $64bn in 2028.
  • Tourism is expected to contribute $76bn annually to the UAE's GDP by 2028.

GCC governments have been striving to diversify their production sources to drive away from the oil economy. Tourism is one of the crucial sectors in this endeavor because of its high profits. 

The UAE has initiated several measures to revitalize the tourism sector, and the efforts have paid dividends. 

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the volume of international visitor spending in the country during the past six years amounted to about $158 bn, while the total annual visitor spending is expected to reach about $64 bn in 2028.

More than 31 million visitors will enter the UAE yearly by 2025, according to the worldwide data website Statista, and the sector is expected to contribute $76 bn to the UAE’s GDP by 2028.

Eco-tourism projects form a part of the efforts aimed at attracting tourists. Following are some of the notable ones.

Sustainable living: Honey and Bees

Yes, don’t be surprised! The UAE’s “honey and bees” journey shows a sustainable way of life that attracts tourists to the mountains.

Honey production in the UAE is linked to three factors related to rainfall. For example, Fujairah mountains are well-known for producing wild honey, which bees usually collect in hives hidden between caves and rocks, or on mountain tops and in deep valleys and among the branches of wild trees.

Beekeepers and those interested in these trips set out at dawn with simple equipment, including a water bottle designated for trips, a container dedicated to extracting honey, and local tools made from natural products.

There are honey and bee reserves in several locations of the UAE, most notably the “Bee Garden” nestled between the Hatta Mountains and surrounded by some of the most beautiful plants and animals in the region.

Oases and Dunes 

Visitors and residents alike flock to the UAE’s deserts for their oases and beautiful dunes throughout the year. This sort of tourism thrives most during the winter months. 

Furthermore, and because of the desert’s appeal, some of the most well-known hotel brands in the world have jumped into the market, creating thousands of jobs, and bringing in millions of dollars in revenue.

191 Green Gardens

In modern cities, public parks serve as a haven for inhabitants and visitors alike, providing a respite from the commotion of daily life. That’s why there are 191 public parks in Dubai, including five extensive gardens with a combined area of more than eight million square meters, making them one of the most popular tourist attractions.

According to Dubai Municipality, the “Dubai Safari Park” attracted 374,000 visitors in 2021, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Children’s Educational Park

Creek Park is the Emirates’ first educational city for children. It is also known as the “Children’s City,” and it has been constructed for children to pursue their interests in a wide range of educational activities spread out across several parts, such as human anatomy, nature, space, and many more.

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