United Arab Emirates Tourism Receipts
International tourism receipts ST.INT.RCPT.CD
United Arab Emirates's tourism receipts was $24.6B in 2020, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 35.9% decrease from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1995–2020.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's tourism receipts stood at $24.6B in 2020, a decline of +$13.8B from 2019. United Arab Emirates ranked 4th globally.
Tourism receipts in the United Arab Emirates have risen dramatically from a trough of 632,000,000.00 in 1995 to a 2020 level of 24,615,400,390.62, placing the emirate fourth in the world. The all‑time peak of 38,413,300,781.25 recorded in 2019 illustrates the rapid expansion of the sector over a 26‑year span, driven by large‑scale events, luxury hospitality development and aggressive marketing of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi brands. This trajectory outpaces peers such as Italy, whose receipts stood at 20,459,000,000.00, and approaches France’s 35,958,000,000.00, underscoring the UAE’s success in converting high‑spending tourists into revenue. The sharp decline in 2020 reflects the COVID‑19 pandemic’s impact on global travel, yet the underlying growth pattern suggests that a swift recovery and continued diversification of tourism offerings could restore and potentially exceed pre‑pandemic levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Tourism Receipts | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $24.6B | −$13.8B | #4 |
| 2019 | $38.4B | +$3.8B | #11 |
| 2018 | $34.6B | +$4.9B | #12 |
| 2017 | $29.7B | +$1.0B | #12 |
| 2016 | $28.7B | +$3.1B | #11 |
| 2015 | $25.6B | +$10.4B | #12 |
| 2014 | $15.2B | +$2.8B | #22 |
| 2013 | $12.4B | +$1.5B | #22 |
| 2012 | $10.9B | +$1.7B | #24 |
| 2011 | $9.2B | +$627.0M | #27 |
| 2010 | $8.6B | +$1.2B | #25 |
| 2009 | $7.4B | +$190.0M | #29 |
| 2008 | $7.2B | +$1.1B | #31 |
| 2007 | $6.1B | +$1.1B | #33 |
| 2006 | $5.0B | +$1.8B | #35 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tourism receipts improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's tourism receipts was $24.6B in 2020. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 35.9% decrease from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's tourism receipts peaked at $38.4B in 2019.
The lowest tourism receipts in United Arab Emirates was $632.0M in 1995.
United Arab Emirates ranks 4th globally in tourism receipts as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is ST.INT.RCPT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's tourism receipts was approximately 24.62 billion ($24.6B) in 2020.
The tourism receipts of United Arab Emirates in 2020 was $24.6B. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_tourism-receipts,
title = {United Arab Emirates Tourism Receipts},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/tourism-receipts/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}