UAE and Türkiye’s Tourism Exchange Grows, Opening New Travel Opportunities for Dubai and Istanbul Visitors, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 30, 2025

There has been a significant increase in travel activity between the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye since 2019, with travel activity growing over 50%. This increase in travel activity reinforces the growing collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye, a relationship which continues to be bolstered by not only trade and energy, but cultural and tourism activity partnerships as well. Ambassador Said Sani Al-Zahiri offered this positive report during the cultural event “Al Bait Al Emarati Cultural Gathering” that took place in Ankara on the 30th November, 2025. Al Bait Al Emarati Cultural Gathering is just one of the culture activities that demonstrates the United Arab Emirates e to strengthen new people to people partnerships across the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye as well as new avenues in tourism creativity.

Tourism Traffic Soars: A 50% Increase Since 2019

Ambassador Al-Zahiri revealed that the tourism flow between the UAE and Türkiye had surged by over 50% since 2019, with impressive figures from both sides. In 2023, 1.2 million UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens visited Türkiye, marking a significant rise in travel between the two nations. This growing trend underscores Türkiye’s growing appeal as a travel destination for Emirati tourists, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes.

Moreover, more than 250,000 Turkish tourists traveled to the UAE in 2023, further highlighting the reciprocal nature of this booming tourism exchange. The UAE, with its luxurious resorts, iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, and cultural attractions, has become a preferred destination for Turkish tourists seeking a blend of modernity and tradition.

Key Factors Driving Tourism Growth: Cultural Programs and Accessibility

Several key factors have contributed to the surge in tourism traffic between the UAE and Türkiye. One of the main drivers has been the strong cultural programs and initiatives undertaken by both governments to foster deeper people-to-people ties. The launch of events like the “Al Bait Al Emarati Cultural Gathering” in Ankara is a prime example of how cultural diplomacy is supporting the growth of tourism.

This event, which is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors, showcases the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and aims to promote creative tourism routes that encourage exploration beyond traditional tourist hotspots. By organizing large-scale cultural gatherings and festivals, both the UAE and Türkiye have successfully increased engagement with tourists, making their destinations more appealing to those looking for immersive cultural experiences.

Additionally, over 200 weekly flights between the two countries have made travel between the UAE and Türkiye more accessible than ever. The robust air connectivity has played a significant role in facilitating the movement of tourists, making it easier for travelers to explore both countries.

Expanding Tourism Markets and Collaborative Marketing Efforts

Bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Türkiye’s tourism boards has also played a pivotal role in expanding tourism markets. Joint marketing campaigns, cross-promotion through cultural programs, and active engagement through tourism agencies have worked to draw attention to both countries’ unique travel offerings. By collaborating on these initiatives, both nations are able to tap into a wider pool of tourists from each other’s markets, ultimately leading to increased visitor numbers and longer stays.

The UAE and Türkiye’s collaboration in promoting diverse tourism experiences is another factor driving this growth. From Türkiye’s historic sites, such as the ancient city of Istanbul and the ruins of Ephesus, to the UAE’s modern attractions like Dubai’s entertainment district and Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites, these destinations offer a rich variety of travel experiences. Cultural tourism, in particular, has become a focal point for both nations as they highlight their shared history, traditions, and architectural beauty.

Enhancing Bilateral Relations Through Tourism

The surge in tourism is not only beneficial to the travel and hospitality sectors but also plays a key role in strengthening bilateral relations. Ambassador Al-Zahiri emphasized that the increase in tourism between the UAE and Türkiye has been instrumental in deepening the overall relationship between the two countries. Trade figures have also seen significant growth, with bilateral trade rising by 87% between 2020 and 2024.

The cultural programs and events organized by both countries provide a platform for individuals from both sides to connect, fostering a greater understanding of each other’s culture and way of life. As the number of tourists continues to rise, these people-to-people connections will only strengthen, further cementing the ties between the UAE and Türkiye.

Moreover, tourism has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits. The influx of tourists leads to increased demand for local services such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and retail, contributing to the growth of the local economy. The UAE’s growing involvement in the Turkish tourism market also opens up further opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, and tourism infrastructure.

Trade Growth and Its Impact on Tourism

The growth in tourism has coincided with a significant rise in trade between the UAE and Türkiye. Non-oil trade reached $39.13 billion in 2024, marking a 7.61% annual increase. The increase in trade is directly related to the growing volume of tourism, as more UAE businesses seek to establish a presence in Türkiye, and vice versa.

Al-Zahiri pointed out that a wide array of sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, and digital trade could benefit from the deepening economic ties between the two nations. By integrating supply chains, both countries can increase their competitiveness and offer even more comprehensive services to the growing number of tourists.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Joint Initiatives

A key area of cooperation between the UAE and Türkiye extends beyond tourism into the field of renewable energy. Both nations are committed to achieving ambitious energy goals, with the UAE targeting 44% clean energy by 2050 and Türkiye aiming for 65% of its electricity production from renewable sources by 2035. The UAE’s experience in clean energy and Türkiye’s engineering expertise in renewable technologies open up numerous opportunities for joint solar parks, wind facilities, and green hydrogen projects.

Sustainable tourism, powered by renewable energy solutions, is a growing trend that could play a key role in the tourism sectors of both countries. The UAE has also introduced cutting-edge technology, such as the “Ma Hawa” device that produces drinking water from air, which could offer innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and tourism in Türkiye.

A Bright Future for UAE-Türkiye Tourism

The United Arab Emirates and Türkiye have formed an impactful partnership concerning travel and economy related to both countries. Travel relations continue to grow and both countries will benefit form an expanded travel market and the implementation of shared cultural activities and economic integration. Considering the shared elasticity concerning sustainability the future of Travel from the UAE to Türkiye and from Türkiye to UAE will benefit all those involved in the travel to the the high in demand services.