Abu Dhabi, December 2 — Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad arrives amid exceptional economic and tourism achievements that reflect the leadership’s vision and the Union’s strength.
Celebrated under the theme “United,” the minister recalled the founding by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the founding fathers and reaffirmed pride in Emirati identity and loyalty to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Economically, the UAE led GCC growth, with real GDP up 4.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 and non-oil GDP rising 5.7%. Non-oil activities accounted for 77.5% of real GDP, underscoring diversification and solid foundations. From January to November 2025, UAE markets registered 220,186 new companies. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism recorded more than 36,000 national and international trademarks in the same period — a 48.2% increase year-on-year — highlighting the country’s competitiveness and investment appeal.
Tourism milestones included the appointment of Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism and Masfout Village being named the World’s Best Tourism Village 2025. The UAE ranked among the world’s top seven destinations for international tourist spending.
In the first nine months of 2025, hotels hosted 23.27 million guests (up 4.9% year-on-year) and logged over 79.3 million room nights. Hotel revenues rose 7.2% to exceed AED 35.9 billion. Available rooms reached 216,248 across 1,246 establishments. Occupancy hit 79.2% (up 1.8%), average length of stay edged up to 3.41 nights from 3.38, occupied room nights increased 3.5% to 46.17 million, and the average daily rate climbed 4.2% to AED 557 from AED 534.
The ministry advanced the economic legislative framework, contributing to 11 economic laws and policies from January to November 2025 covering consumer protection, ecotourism, food security, air transport and sustainability. It also issued eight regulatory policies and decisions on rules of origin, combating harmful practices, company regulations and competition.
Bin Touq said Eid Al Etihad inspires renewed dedication to progress under wise leadership and supports the strategic “We the UAE 2031” vision to double the national economy to AED 3 trillion and position the UAE as a global hub for the new economy. (ANI/WAM)
