The UAE has strengthened its position as a global center for cultural, recreational and commercial events

Dr. Ross Corran, tourist expert at the University of Heriot Wat Dubai and co -professor at the Adenburial College, confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has strengthened its position as a global center for cultural, recreational and commercial events, through large festivals such as the Dubai Shopping Festival to prestigious international events as the Expo 2020, as the region benefited strategically from its site to attract millions of visitors annually.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have turned into vital centers in which traditions meet modernity, making it ideal for hosting various activities such as the Dubai World Cup, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, GITEX International, and Dubai Food Festival, and these are few examples of attracting visitors from all over the world.
The tourist expert pointed out that the tourism sector in the Emirates witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, which is in line with the goals of the Emirates Tourism Strategy 2031. Reports indicate that Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah airports received more than 103 million passengers by September 2024.
The United Arab Emirates government has given priority to investment in infrastructure, airports and hotels, which provided a smooth experience for international visitors. The recent expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport, which will eventually become the largest in the world’s capacity, is an example of this sustainable investment.
The synergy between the public and private sectors has enabled the state to host large -scale events that meet the various population and interests groups
Koran adds that festivals and events play a decisive role in the economy of the UAE. For example, the Dubai Shopping Festival is not just impressive shopping festival, but rather contributes greatly to the country’s gross domestic product. According to the Dubai Festival and Retail Corporation, the Dubai Shopping Festival attracts millions of visitors annually, generating billions of dollars in retail sales and enhancing the hospitality sector.
The hospitality sector, in particular, is a boom during these activities. Hotels record high occupancy rates, while restaurants and recreational centers are increasingly popular. The influence extends beyond tourism, generating economic ties across the economy, to include transportation, retail and health care sectors, making festivals a strong economic motivation.
He stressed that, according to a report issued by “Statista”, the travel and tourism market in the United Arab Emirates is expected to witness remarkable growth in the coming years. During the year 2025, the market is expected to achieve revenues of $ 1.40 billion.
It is expected that the market is expected to be annually at a rate of 4.10% between 2025 and 2029, bringing its expected size to $ 1.64 billion by 2029. events and festivals also affect the percentage of hotel works where hotel facilities achieved revenues of about 37.1 billion dirhams in the period from January to October 2024, an increase of 4% compared to the same period in 2023.
Recently, the rate of hotel occupancy witnessed a growth, to reach nearly 78%, an increase of 2.7% over the corresponding period of last year. These figures are highlighted, highlighting the increasing growth of Emirati tourism in various sectors, which supports the national tourism strategy 2031.
This strategy aims to enhance the contribution of the tourism sector to GDP to 450 billion dirhams by 2031. He adds that festivals in the United Arab Emirates are not limited to achieving economic gains, but also are also platforms to preserve cultural heritage and cultural exchange. It celebrates events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Al Dhafra Camel Festival with Heritage, the Emirati and calls on international masses to experience the traditions of the rich region.