Hotels in the UAE generated revenues of around AED26 billion ($7.08 billion) between January and July this year, a 24% rise over the same seven months last year.

This is according to the Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri.

Hotels in the country welcomed 16 million guests during the first seven months of the year, 15% more than the same period in 2022, reports Wam news agency.

During a meeting of the Council, Bin Touq said a total of 56 million hotel nights were reserved, with the occupancy rate rising by 5% annually to reach 75% between January and July, The National reports.

"These indexes contribute to increase the UAE's competitiveness in the international tourism landscape and fulfil the national target of raising the tourism sector's contribution to the gross domestic product to Dh450 billion by the next decade under the We The UAE 2031 vision," Mr bin Touq stated.

Furthermore, the travel and tourism sector is forecast to contribute Dh180.6 billion to the UAE's economy in 2023, making up almost 10% of the total, as per the May report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

This year's forecast is just 1.6% lower than the 2019 high of Dh183.4 billion, the global tourism organisation added.

In addition, the number of international arrivals to Dubai surpassed pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2023, as the tourism sector registered a record performance.

International visits to the emirate increased by an annual 20% in the first seven months of the year, according to the Dubai Media Office, noting data from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism.

Dubai hosted 8.55 million international visitors during this time, exceeding the pre-Covid figure of 8.36 million tourists in the first half of 2019.

Whereas Abu Dhabi is "on track" to reach its goal of 24 million visitors in 2023, a rise from last year's 18 million, said Saood Al Hosani, undersecretary of the emirate's Department of Culture and Tourism.