'The descending is over, we're going to take off': UAE tourism ready for winter boost, says Abdulla bin Touq
The UAE's tourism industry is not waiting for normal to return. Across hotels, airlines and destination authorities, companies are spending, expanding and repositioning – betting that the sector's foundations are strong enough to deliver a recovery through the winter season and into 2027. Hotel occupancy in Dubai climbed to 66 per cent in August, government figures show – 89 per cent of its level…
The UAE's tourism industry is actively preparing for a winter boost, according to Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Tourism. Hotel occupancy in Dubai reached 66 percent in August, close to 89 percent of its level from the same period last year, despite being significantly higher than in March. Demand for travel to the UAE remains strong, with a 60 percent year-on-year increase in flight orders and a 130 percent growth in hotel bookings.
The industry is investing in new products, routes, markets, and experiences to attract visitors and keep them longer. A national initiative, the UAE Grand Tour, has been launched, offering themed multi-emirate itineraries for eight to 12 days, aiming to showcase the UAE as a network of distinct destinations rather than just a single city.
Shorter lead times in bookings have made revenue forecasting challenging, but airlines and hotels are introducing flexibility measures such as free date changes to adapt to the changing travel landscape.
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