UAE tourism worth US$52 billion in 2012

Tourism in the United Arab Emirates is growing significantly faster than the world growth average, according to new economic research released by The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The WTTC explains that tourism contributed 14% to the UAE economy in 2012 - well above the global trend of 9%.

Taking account of direct, indirect and induced impacts, AED193.6 billion (US$52.7 billion) of the UAE's GDP came from the industry last year and that contribution is expected to rise by 3.2% by the end of 2013.

383,500 jobs (one in nine of all jobs in the country) are in tourism, ahead of the global average of one in 11 jobs.

WTTC President and Chief Executive David Scowsill explains "as the UAE looks to diversify its economy, it is fully embracing the social and economic benefits of tourism and reaping the rewards already from its strong investment."

By 2023, international tourist arrivals to the country are forecast to total 25.8 million, generating visitor expenditure of AED207.1 billion (US$56.4 billion) an increase of 5% per annum.