The UAE has granted nearly 40,000 commercial licences in a number of key tourism-related industries, reflecting the country's continued economic momentum, Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq has said.
The 39,546 licences issued through the middle of September amounted to a nearly four-fold surge from the same period in 2020, Mr Bin Touq said, state news agency Wam reported on Saturday.
Those licences were in the sectors of tourism and digital tourism, hospitality, aviation, air transport and aviation technology, which "reflects the UAE's leadership as an incubator for companies and commercial licences across various tourism sectors", the minister said.
Tourism remained a major driver for the UAE economy, with Gulf visitor numbers growing: tourists from the six-nation council hit 3.3 million in 2024, accounting for about 11 per cent of total guests, boosted by the unified tourist visa approved in 2023, Mr Bin Touq said.
Tourists from Saudi Arabia comprised nearly 60 per cent of guests with 1.9 million, followed by Oman (777,000), Kuwait (381,000), Bahrain (123,000) and Qatar (93,000).
"The unified Gulf tourist visa represents a strategic step towards enhancing tourism integration," Mr Bin Touq said.
"It will represent a qualitative shift in the tourism sector across the Gulf and the region, enhance the visibility of the diverse tourism assets that characterise each GCC country, and contribute to strengthening the attractiveness of the Gulf countries as a unified regional tourism destination," he added.
The UAE's tourism industry is one of its economic pillars, complemented by a host of hospitality, retail and entertainment offerings, and forms part of the key non-oil economy.
Dubai welcomed nearly 10 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, up 6.1 per cent annually, while passenger traffic through the Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports topped about 62 million combined, latest government data shows.
The UAE has been boosting efforts to diversify its economy away from oil. Non-oil GDP rose 5.3 per cent rise on a yearly basis in the first quarter of 2025, rising to Dh352 billion, contributing more than 77 per cent of total real GDP, preliminary estimates released this month by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre have shown. The country’s overall GDP from January to March rose to Dh455 billion.
The UAE Central Bank last week increased its 2025 growth forecast for the country’s economy from 4.4 per cent to 4.9 per cent, as a surge in non-oil activity drives momentum.
Also last week, the UAE announced the launch of the National Policy for Economic Clusters, with the goal of boosting the country's gross domestic product by more than Dh30 billion ($8.16 billion) a year.
Tourism is expected to continue its key contribution to the UAE economy, with the Ministry of Economy boosting initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship both from local and international investors, enhance tourism infrastructure and enhancing the labour force, Mr Bin Touq said.
"The UAE places the tourism sector at the forefront of its economic priorities, considering it a pivotal pillar and a key driver of sustainable development," he added.
"It is also an effective element in promoting growth, diversifying sources of income, and increasing its contribution to the country's GDP."
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
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