The UAE has issued almost 40,000 commercial licences in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors up to mid-September this year, according to official figures.

The total number of licences reached 39,546, representing a 275% rise compared to the same period in 2020, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, confirmed.

Al Marri credited the growth to reforms in business and investment regulations, which have attracted international firms and boosted opportunities across tourism-related fields. He emphasised the critical role of tourism in UAE’s economic priorities as a driver of sustainable growth, highlighting new programmes under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. Among the initiatives is the sixth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, scheduled for launch in December.

Efforts are also under way to prepare Emiratis for roles within the tourism workforce through training supported by local and global partners. Further plans include encouraging investment in hospitality and aviation, as well as supporting start-ups in the sector.

In October, the UAE will host the “UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit” during the Future Hospitality Summit, with the aim of enhancing partnerships between the two regions.

On regional tourism, Al Marri revealed that the country welcomed 3.3 million visitors from GCC nations in 2024, making up 11% of total hotel guests. Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share with 1.9 million arrivals, followed by Oman with 777,000, Kuwait with 381,000, Bahrain with 123,000 and Qatar with 93,000.

He added that the introduction of a unified GCC tourist visa would mark a significant step towards greater regional integration. A pilot launch is expected in the final quarter of 2025, with full implementation to follow.