Friday, December 30, 2022 – 3:48 PM
From: Ramy Samih
ABU DHABI, 30 December / WAM / The tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates succeeded in achieving qualitative leaps and exceptional achievements in the year 2022, as shown by the results and indicators that confirmed the full recovery from the repercussions of the “Covid-19” pandemic, and the entry into a new phase of growth and prosperity in the year New 2023.
During 2022, the UAE continued to maintain its regional and global leadership as a distinguished tourist destination that meets all the tastes of tourists, and a preferred place to live, work and visit, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, security and stability, strategic location, and diverse activities, which strengthened its position on the global tourism map, to become one One of the most important global tourist destinations.
Thanks to the vision and directives of the wise leadership, the UAE has paid great attention to the development of the tourism sector, as a major contributor to the diversification of the national economy, and an important tributary in enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness on the global tourism map. From this standpoint, the country launched unique projects and tourism initiatives with the aim of supporting the growth and leadership of the tourism sector. Attracting tourists from all over the world, creating new investment opportunities in the travel, tourism and aviation sectors, and attracting more international tourism companies to the country’s markets.
Official data indicate that the tourism sector contributes more than 177 billion dirhams to the country’s gross domestic product, and the hotel occupancy rate in the country is among the highest in the world at a rate of 72.8%. The increasing confidence in the national tourism sector and the pioneering reputation achieved by the tourism environment in the country, whether at the level of domestic tourism or by international tourists and visitors.
The tourism sector in the country witnessed a quantum leap, in terms of infrastructure, legislation and initiatives that strengthened the UAE’s position on the global tourism map, the latest of which was the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to consolidate the country’s position as one of the best tourist destinations in the world, and enhance its competitiveness through Attracting 100 billion dirhams in additional tourism investments, and doubling the number of tourists to 40 million, with an expected total contribution of 450 billion dirhams to the GDP by 2031.
The achievements made by the UAE tourism sector in the year 2022 confirm the efficiency of the sustainable tourism policies adopted by the UAE, the success of initiatives, campaigns and exhibitions that serve the tourism sector and continuously enhance it, and the strength of the national tourism product and the state’s leading services, attractive tourist destinations and infrastructure. developed tourism.
The latest tourism initiatives and campaigns for 2022 came, represented by the launch of the third edition of the “The Most Beautiful Winter in the World” campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him”, under the slogan “Our Heritage”. To highlight the most important elements of the national identity, and to introduce the specificity of the cultural heritage of the UAE, in a way that contributes to the development of the tourism sector in the country, and support the national economy, in a way that enhances the country’s position as a major destination on the global tourism map.
The “The Most Beautiful Winter in the World” campaign will contribute to supporting the National Tourism Strategy 2031, and will also enhance the advanced tourism position that the UAE occupies on the list of tourist destinations with integrated and diversified options most in demand in the world, taking advantage of its geographical nature rich in tall mountains, golden sands and natural islands. The long beaches, the charming coasts, the picturesque desert, and a rich list of heritage and cultural areas that reflect the nature of the civilizations that flocked to it since ancient times.
Official data indicate the strong recovery witnessed by the tourism sector in 2022, as Abu Dhabi hotels attracted more than 3.6 million hotel guests during the first 11 months of this year, a growth of 25% compared to the same period last year, while hotel revenues increased to 4.7 billion dirhams. In the first 11 months of this year, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year.
Abu Dhabi hotels recorded high occupancy rates that reached 70% during the first 11 months of this year, an increase of 1%, while the average hotel stay for guests was regarding 3.1 nights per guest, and the average room price in hotels in the capital amounted to 355 dirhams, an increase of 21%. While the average revenue per available room was 249 dirhams for the same period, an increase of regarding 23%, according to data from the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
The Emirate of Dubai succeeded in attracting more than 12.82 million international tourists between January and November 2022, compared to regarding 6.02 million international visitors in the same period last year, an increase of 113%, with key performance indicators for the hotel sector in the emirate exceeding the peak levels of 2019. On the level of the number of rooms and hotel nights, average prices and return on available rooms.
The average hotel occupancy in Dubai increased during the first 11 months of 2022 to 72.6% compared to 65.8% in 2021, and the number of overnight stays during the 11 months increased to 34 million overnight stays, a growth of 21%, while the average length of stay for guests reached between January and November 2022 had regarding 4 hotel nights, compared to regarding 4.6 nights in the same period in 2021.
Emad Al-Ali / Ramy Samih
