UAE’s Tourism and Aviation Sectors Reach a New Peak with Nearly Forty Thousand Commercial Licenses By September 2025, Ushering In a Bright Future For Travel

Published on September 29, 2025

As of September 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is has issued around 40,000 commercial licenses which is a first in the country travel history milestones. Almost all of these commercial operations have dedicated aviation and tourism infrastructures and greatly benefit from the council member states of the gulf cooperation which provide them substantial credit lines. Supporting the 2031 travel strategy for the UAE which focuses on sustainable travel and attracting external capital investment, fostering the education and skill development of the local workforce, constructing new tourism promotion and travel incentive communication campaigns, and the unified GCC tourist visa all greatly strengthen the UAE travel vision and enhance the economy of the country.

As of mid-September 2025, the tourism and aviation sectors in the UAE have witnessed a remarkable surge in commercial activity, with the number of licenses in key areas such as tourism, hospitality, aviation, air transport, aviation technologies, and digital tourism solutions reaching an impressive total of 39,546. This marks a significant 275% increase compared to the same period in 2020, highlighting the country’s resilience and commitment to developing its tourism industry as a central pillar of economic growth.

The UAE has long recognized tourism as a crucial element in its sustainable development, and this vision continues to materialize through a series of forward-thinking strategies and initiatives. Among the most notable is the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which lays out a comprehensive roadmap for the continued growth of the tourism sector, while also focusing on diversification and innovation. One of the most eagerly anticipated initiatives under this strategy is the upcoming “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, set to launch in December 2025. The initiative is expected to further boost the country’s tourism appeal, drawing both regional and international visitors.

An essential aspect of the UAE’s tourism development plans is the focus on nurturing and empowering local talent. Efforts are underway to equip Emiratis with the skills needed to thrive in the tourism workforce. This initiative is being supported by various local and international partners, demonstrating a collaborative approach to ensuring the sector’s long-term success. Additionally, the government is working to attract further investments in the hospitality, travel, and aviation industries through a variety of new programs, which also provide vital support to emerging start-ups.

As part of its broader outreach to Africa, the UAE is preparing to host the “UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit” in October 2025. This summit will take place in conjunction with the Future Hospitality Summit, with the goal of deepening partnerships between the UAE and African nations across the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. By fostering these relationships, the UAE aims to bolster bilateral ties, enhance economic cooperation, and open up new avenues for investment and collaboration.

The UAE’s appeal as a tourism destination is also reflected in the growing number of visitors from neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In 2024, the UAE welcomed a total of 3.3 million visitors from the GCC, which accounted for 11% of all hotel guests in the country. Saudi Arabia led the way, contributing 1.9 million visitors, or 58% of the total number of GCC visitors. Other notable contributors included Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, each playing a key role in the region’s growing tourism exchange.

One of the key developments in regional tourism is the introduction of a unified GCC tourist visa, which is expected to further enhance the Gulf’s collective appeal as a single, seamless tourism destination. This visa is a strategic move toward greater regional integration, making it easier for travelers to explore multiple destinations across the Gulf. The pilot launch of the unified GCC tourist visa is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025, with full implementation scheduled for a later stage. The new visa system promises to offer significant benefits to both tourists and businesses in the region, streamlining the travel experience and fostering deeper cross-border tourism.

The UAE’s tourism and aviation industries are on track for sustained growth in the coming years. With strategic initiatives in place to attract international visitors, nurture local talent, and enhance regional cooperation, the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in the tourism sector. As the country continues to innovate and invest in its hospitality and aviation infrastructure, it remains well-placed to maintain its status as one of the world’s most attractive and dynamic tourism destinations.

By September of 2025, the number of commercial licenses issued within the UAE reached an astonishing forty thousand, an increase fueled by the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and projected future investments in innovation, sustainability, and talent development. This places UAE for a further investment in their global travel infrastructure and their increased innovation focus.

UAE remains able to make plans for further economic diversification and more stable development going forward. The expectation is that a more developed travel and tourism infrastructure in UAE shall stimulate the region’s economy and UAE diversification plans will further stimulate development.