UAE Hotel Occupancy Hits 81.3% in Q1 2025

The UAE’s hospitality sector continues to gain strength, with hotel occupancy rates reaching 81.3% in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring strong domestic and international demand for travel and accommodation across the country.

The data, shared during the second 2025 meeting of the Hospitality Advisory Council, highlights a period of solid performance for the industry. Chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, the session brought together leaders from 16 major hotel groups and sector stakeholders to discuss new national initiatives aimed at accelerating growth and employment within the hospitality industry.

According to H.E. Bin Touq, the UAE’s hospitality performance in Q1 2025 included:

“These numbers reflect the depth of our national tourism offering and the effectiveness of the UAE’s strategy in attracting visitors from around the world,” said H.E. Bin Touq. “Our investments in hospitality infrastructure, cultural events, and international positioning continue to deliver tangible returns.”

The meeting also covered the progress of several new public-private initiatives. Among them is the Summer Hospitality Camp, launched by the Ministry of Economy to support Emiratization by offering practical hospitality training to school and university students.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the goals of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which seeks to position the UAE as the world’s leading tourism brand over the next decade. Emphasis was placed on further collaboration between government and private stakeholders to strengthen the country’s competitive edge.

The Hospitality Advisory Council, established under the Emirates Tourism Council, serves as a strategic think tank offering insights, recommendations, and policy feedback to guide the continued development of the UAE’s hospitality industry.