UAE hotel stays up 5.5% in H1 2025

Hotels across the UAE attractred more than 16.1 million guests in the first half of 2025, marking a 5.5% year-on-year increase, according to new data from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

 

Guest demand translated into 56 million hotel nights during the six-month period, up 7.3%, with the average length of stay reaching 3.5 nights.

 

The figures were revealed by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, during the third session of the Hospitality Advisory Council for 2025, who said the UAE’s hospitality sector continues to demonstrate “resilience and competitiveness” both regionally and globally. 

 

Just days earlier, while chairing a meeting of the Emirates Tourism Council, Al Marri reported that hotel revenues reached AED26 billion (US$7.1 billion) in H1 2025, a rise of 6.3% compared to last year. 

 

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Average occupancy across the country stood at 80.5%, supported by 1,243 hotel establishments and more than 216,000 rooms.

 

Al Marri highlighted the critical role of collaboration between public and private sectors , combined with innovation, in sustaining momentum. These factors, he said, remain central to “driving tourism growth” and creating “exceptional travel experiences” for visitors.

 

Dubai accounted for the largest share of guests, welcoming 9.88 million overnight visitors between January and June 2025, reflecting a 6% rise year on year. 

 

Ras Al Khaimah also achieved record performance, posting 654,000 visitors in H1, up 6%, while Abu Dhabi registered 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter alone, with hotel revenues soaring 18%.

 

For more information, visit moec.gov.ae