UAE World’s Coolest Winter 2025: How ‘Our Winter is Entrepreneurial’ is Transforming Tourism

Published on December 17, 2025

When the temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, the world traditionally looks to the United Arab Emirates as a sun-soaked sanctuary. For years, the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign has successfully invited millions to swap their snow boots for sand-laden walks along the Arabian Gulf. But as the sixth edition of this national initiative kicks off in December 2025, a significant shift is taking place.

This year, the UAE isn’t just marketing its “cool” breeze; it’s marketing its “entrepreneurial” fire. Under the new slogan, “Our Winter is Entrepreneurial,” the nation is turning its most successful tourism window into a launchpad for local talent, innovation, and economic diversification.

The Numbers: A Tourism Juggernaut

To understand the scale of this ambition, one only needs to look at the data released by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. In the first ten months of 2025, the UAE’s hotel sector recorded a staggering Dh40 billion in revenue, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year.

A Look at the Metrics:

• Hotel Guests: 26.1 million visitors (a 5% year-on-year rise).
• Occupancy Rates: A healthy average of 79% across 1,241 establishments.
• Capacity: The nation now boasts 216,500 rooms, proving that the infrastructure is ready for the “Entrepreneurial” wave.

Since its inception, the “World’s Coolest Winter” has reached over 1.2 billion people globally. It is no longer just a campaign; it is a vital organ of the UAE’s economic body.

“Our Winter is Entrepreneurial”: What Does it Actually Mean?

Historically, the campaign focused on “Green Tourism” or “Unforgettable Stories.” However, for 2025-2026, the focus is on the creators. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized that this edition aims to spotlight the Emirati entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to visit the UAE.

Instead of just visiting a desert, tourists are being directed to startups that offer sustainable glamping. Instead of just dining at a mall, they are encouraged to visit local culinary concepts born in neighborhood kitchens. The campaign is essentially integrating the SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) ecosystem into the heart of the tourist experience.

Supporting the Vision 2031 Goals

This entrepreneurial pivot isn’t a random choice. It is a calculated move to support the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to:

Attract Dh100 billion in new tourism investments.

Welcome 40 million hotel guests annually.

Increase the sector’s GDP contribution to Dh450 billion by 2031.

By empowering startups, the government is ensuring that the “tourism pie” is distributed more widely. When a tourist chooses a boutique experience run by a local entrepreneur over a global chain, that money circulates directly back into the local economy, fueling the next generation of innovators.

The Highlights: Eco-Tourism and Green Spaces

While the “entrepreneurial” aspect is the engine, the “coolest winter” remains the fuel. The six-week campaign (running from December 16) continues to promote the UAE’s natural beauty.

• Masfout Village (Ajman): Recently awarded the World’s Best Tourism Village 2025 by UN Tourism.
• Al Ain: Named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2026.
• Hidden Gems: The campaign highlights eco-tourist destinations, such as the fossil dunes of Abu Dhabi, the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain, and the mountain trails of Hatta.

Many of these sites are now managed or serviced by young Emirati entrepreneurs who have turned their passion for their homeland’s geography into viable, world-class business models.

Humanizing the Hub: Why it Matters to You

For the traveler, this shift means a more authentic experience. The “Entrepreneurial Winter” promises to strip away the artificial layers often associated with luxury travel. It invites you to meet the people behind the projects. It turns a vacation into an encounter with a “startup nation.”

Whether you are an investor looking for the next big thing in “travel-tech” or a family looking for a unique heritage experience, the UAE is positioning itself as a place where the “impossible becomes possible.”

Conclusion: A Season for Dreamers

The UAE’s “World’s Coolest Winter” has successfully transitioned from a marketing campaign to a movement. By placing the entrepreneur at the center of the narrative, the UAE is telling the world that it is no longer just a destination—it is a partner in progress.

As the Dh40 billion revenue milestone proves, the strategy is working. The UAE winter isn’t just about escaping the cold anymore; it’s about being part of a warm, innovative ecosystem that is building the future of global tourism.