TOURISM
The UAE has established itself as a prime location for hosting conferences, regional and international exhibitions, and major global sports events, including the Dubai World Cup for horseracing, the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup, renowned film festivals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
In 2016, the direct contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE's GDP amounted to AED 68.5 billion (USD 18.7 billion), equivalent to 5.2% of the total GDP. Projections suggest it will increase by 5.1% annually from 2017 to 2027, reaching AED 116.1 billion (USD 31.6 billion), accounting for 5.4% of the total GDP in 2027.
The total contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE's GDP was AED 159.1 billion (USD 43.3 billion), representing 12.1% of its GDP. Projections indicate it will rise by 4.9% annually, reaching AED 264.5 billion (USD 72 billion) by 2027, constituting 12.4% of the GDP.