The UAE’ tourism sector extended its strong growth momentum in 2025, reinforcing its role as one of the country’s most dynamic economic pillars, supported by large-scale projects, modern infrastructure and rising visitor demand, state news agency, WAM reported.

The tourism and travel sector contributed Dhs257.3bn to gross domestic product, accounting for 13 per cent of the national economy, according to official data.

Hotel establishments welcomed 23.27 million guests in the first nine months of the year, up 4.9 per cent year on year, while total hotel nights exceeded 79.3 million.

Hotel revenues rose 7.2 per cent to more than Dhs35.9bn over the same period.

Average hotel occupancy climbed to 79.2 per cent, while the number of occupied rooms increased 3.5 per cent to 46.17 million.

The average daily room rate rose 4.2 per cent to Dhs557, supported by a total capacity of 216,248 rooms across 1,246 hotel establishments nationwide.

UAE aviation sector showed robust growth

Aviation activity also remained robust, with Abu Dhabi Airports, Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport handling a combined 108.59 million passengers by the end of September, the WAM report said.

The year was marked by the launch and announcement of several major tourism developments, including the Dhs2bn Therme Dubai wellness and leisure destination, the opening of Abu Dhabi’s interactive Butterfly Sanctuary, the Wynn Al Marjan Island hotel and resort in Ras Al Khaimah, and the Avani+ Fujairah Resort scheduled to open in 2028.

Other projects included the Dhs3.5bn Al Tay Hills development in Sharjah, the second phase of the Umm Al Qaiwain Creek Waterfront, and the announcement of a Disney theme park and resort on Yas Island, one of the largest global entertainment projects.

Winter tourism campaign

In February, the fifth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign concluded under the theme “Green Tourism,” generating hotel revenues of nearly Dhs1.9bn, up 86.9 per cent, and attracting more than 4.4 million guests, a 62 per cent increase compared with the previous edition.

The campaign reached 224.7 million people worldwide.

On the international stage, the UAE renewed its membership on the Executive Council of UN Tourism for the 2025 to 2029 term.

In a landmark development, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais was elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism for the 2026 to 2029 term, becoming the first woman to hold the post since the organisation’s establishment.

Other highlights in 2025 included Masfout village being named “Best Tourism Village in the World 2025,” while the UAE ranked among the world’s top seven destinations for international tourism spending.

Young Emiratis are calling for a fundamental rethink of how employers attract and develop national talent, placing work-life balance, workplace culture and long-term growth ahead of traditional incentives, according to a new white paper released by Al-Futtaim.

The paper, produced in partnership with the American University in Dubai, KPMG Middle East and G42, is based on a survey of more than 500 Emiratis aged 18 to 25 and signals a shift away from quota-driven Emiratisation towards what it describes as a quality-based approach to talent development.

More than half of respondents, 53 per cent, said work-life balance was a critical factor when choosing an employer, while 51 per cent pointed to the importance of a positive and supportive work environment.

Family influence remains strong, with 46 per cent citing parents and relatives as the primary drivers of their career decisions, reflecting the cultural context shaping employment choices.

Key findings of the report: Opportunities and challenges

The findings show that young Emiratis define a strong workplace less by hierarchy and more by culture. About 82 per cent said creativity and innovation mattered to them, while 81 per cent prioritised personal growth and ethical values.

Teamwork was highlighted by 79 per cent of respondents. The paper argues that strong leadership, open communication and collaboration are central to making young nationals feel valued and motivated.

At the same time, the survey points to structural barriers holding many back. Competition for entry-level roles was cited by 33 per cent of respondents, while 28 per cent pointed to a lack of experience.

Limited access to training, at 23 per cent, and mentorship, at 21 per cent, were also flagged as key obstacles.

A skills gap is emerging alongside growing awareness of technology. While 42 per cent of respondents said they were actively thinking about the impact of artificial intelligence on their careers, only 33 per cent identified data literacy as a success factor, suggesting a disconnect between awareness and practical capability.

Pensions remain another sticking point in encouraging private sector participation. More than half of those surveyed said pension benefits were very important when selecting an employer, yet 48 per cent viewed government schemes as significantly more attractive than private sector alternatives.

The paper also notes that 36 per cent of young Emiratis are open to working abroad, raising concerns about talent retention if domestic opportunities are not made more competitive.

Emirati youth have a clear vision

“This generation of young Emiratis is actively shaping the future of work with a clear vision of what they seek,” said Mira Al Futtaim, chairwoman of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim and chief future education officer at Al-Futtaim Education Foundation. “They are digitally native and globally aware, but they face real hurdles, from intense competition for entry-level roles to gaps in practical skills. This white paper is a roadmap for aligning efforts across sectors to unlock their potential.”

The report sets out recommendations for government, industry and academia, drawn from industry roundtables and youth discussions. These include shifting Emiratisation frameworks from quantity to quality, harmonising pension systems, embedding early industry exposure in education, empowering managers as talent developers and investing in visible national role models. It also highlights UAE-based case studies already working to address these gaps.

“Educators equip Emirati youth with the skills, mindset and adaptability needed to thrive in a complex world,” said Dr Kyle Long, president of the American University in Dubai. “By fostering curiosity and critical thinking, they enable the next generation to drive innovation across the UAE’s economy.”

Marketa Simkova, partner and head of people at KPMG Middle East, said the findings were a clear signal for organisations to rethink talent strategies. “Effective approaches today must go beyond traditional HR and focus on well-being, purpose and continuous development to build a resilient and engaged Emirati workforce,” she said.

Maymee Kurian, group chief human capital and culture officer at G42, said preparing young nationals for an AI-driven economy was now essential. “Equipping Emirati youth with future-ready skills and fostering a culture of innovation is imperative if they are to lead the digital economy,” she said.

The paper concludes that attracting and retaining Emirati talent will require employers to prioritise holistic wellbeing, meaningful work aligned with national goals, and structured experiential learning, alongside advocating for systemic reforms such as pension harmonisation. Without that shift, it warns, the gap between aspiration and opportunity is likely to widen.

Emirates Airline has cancelled a number of scheduled flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Friday as severe weather, including heavy rain and thunderstorms, disrupted operations across the UAE.

In a travel advisory, the airline said adverse weather conditions in the UAE and the wider region had affected its network, resulting in flight cancellations, delays and rescheduling.

Read: Dubai Police issue alert until Dec 19 mid-day; heavy rains expected

Emirates cancels the following flights

Emirates confirmed that several routes were impacted, with flights to and from destinations across the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and East Asia among those cancelled.

According to the airline, the following flights have been cancelled for the December 19:

EK977/978 Dubai/Tehran/Dubai

EK823/824 Dubai/Dammam/Dubai

EK945/946 Dubai/Basra/Dubai

EK866/867 Dubai/Muscat/Dubai

EK853/854 Dubai/Kuwait/Dubai

EK835/836 Dubai/Bahrain/Dubai

EK837/838 Dubai/Bahrain/Dubai

EK705/796 Dubai/Seychelles/Dubai

EK656/657 Dubai/Male/Dubai

EK650/651 Dubai/Colombo/Dubai

EK636/637 Dubai/Peshawar/Dubai

EK043/44 Dubai/Frankfurt/Dubai

EK322/323 Dubai/Incheon/Dubai

Last updated: December 18, 2025, 21:39 Dubai (GMT+4)

The airline said passenger and crew safety remained its top priority.

Travellers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to ensure their contact details were up to date to receive real-time notifications.

Emirates also urged passengers departing Dubai to allow additional time to reach the airport, warning that weather conditions could affect road access and airport operations.

The disruption comes as unstable weather systems bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and reduced visibility to parts of the UAE, affecting air travel as well as road transport.

Airlines operating in the country have issued similar advisories, cautioning passengers to expect possible delays and further schedule changes.

The UAE is set to significantly tighten its regulations on single-use plastics from January 1, 2026, as the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) rolls out the second phase of Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022. The expanded measures will widen the scope of prohibited plastic products while carving out exemptions for plant-based and biodegradable alternatives, signalling a shift from outright bans to encouraging sustainable material innovation.

According to François de Bie, chief commercial officer at Emirates Biotech, the regulation is designed to address both environmental impact and long-term economic transformation.

“A few years ago, the UAE government implemented the Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022, a decree set to reduce pollution created by single use products, and at the same time a decree that was set to drive sustainability and circularity,” he said. “As of 1 January 2026, many single use products will become regulated and effectively banned by these regulations. The MOCCAE has provided some additional guidelines on how the decree should be interpreted.”

Under the new phase, a broad range of commonly used foodservice items will be prohibited if produced from traditional fossil-based plastics. From January 2026, beverage cups and lids, cutlery, straws, stirrers, and plastic and foam food containers used by restaurants, hotels, food service providers, and retail outlets will no longer be permitted unless they meet specific material criteria.

Read: UAE to expand single-use plastic ban from January 2026

“Only if these products are made from PLA biopolymers or other plant-based materials like paper, or wood, and if they have recycled content they will be exempted,” de Bie explained.

The regulations also introduce stricter controls on shopping bags. The use of single-use shopping bags, defined as those with a thickness of less than 50 micrometers, will be prohibited across the UAE. However, exemptions will apply for bags made from recycled materials or plant-based, biodegradable alternatives such as PLA or paper.

At an industry level, de Bie believes the updated framework marks a fundamental evolution in how plastics are viewed within the UAE’s sustainability agenda.

“With the SUP regulation, the UAE is set to reduce negative environmental impact of a broad range of commonly used and littered products,” he said. “With the exemption such as PLA biopolymers, the UAE moves the national strategy from a purely restrictive framework (banning problematic materials) to a restorative and innovative one (promoting sustainable and promising solutions).”

He added that the policy supports the development of a domestic bioeconomy aligned with the country’s industrial goals. “It underpins biopolymers like PLA as essential components of the UAE’s future circular ‘Make it in Emirates’ bioeconomy. The future of plastics in the UAE means the conversation is no longer just about the elimination of plastics, but rather the evolution of local produced, plant-based, and biodegradable materials.”

For businesses, the clarity provided by the exemptions could accelerate investment decisions that have previously been delayed by uncertainty.

“Without viable and legal alternatives, businesses will face operational disruptions,” de Bie said. “By clearly exempting plant-based material such as PLA, policymakers are providing crucial regulatory certainty. This reduces risks on investment for brand owners, retailers, and converters who hesitated to switch due to cost concerns, supply chain, and performance uncertainty.”

He noted that this certainty could dramatically shorten transition timelines. “This clarity will push the transition timelines faster that might otherwise have taken a decade into just a few months/years.”

While demand for compliant materials is expected to rise sharply, de Bie acknowledged that the market is still in a preparatory phase. Historically, the region has depended heavily on imported biopolymers, creating logistical and cost barriers.

“However, the landscape is changing rapidly in anticipation of 2026,” he said, pointing to the emergence of domestic PLA stocks and local warehousing as a critical development. “While challenges remain, the shift toward localised supply chains means the market will be significantly better prepared to meet the demand surge than it was a year ago.”

Local manufacturers, he added, will play a decisive role in making the transition successful. “UAE-based manufacturers, both raw material producers and converters are like the ‘engine room’ of this transition,” de Bie said. Beyond production, he stressed the importance of adapting machinery, retraining staff, and designing products with end-of-life considerations in mind to ensure that sustainability goals translate into real environmental outcomes.

As the 2026 deadline approaches, the expanded single-use plastics regulations are expected to reshape procurement strategies, manufacturing investments, and packaging choices across the UAE, reinforcing the country’s push toward circularity and sustainable industrial growth.

Many parts of the UAE woke on Friday, 19 December, to wet roads and unsettled skies as a rain-bearing weather system continued to move east across the country overnight, with conditions expected to linger into the afternoon.

A short video snippet from Apple’s weather radar app on Friday morning illustrates how the system is set to progressively shift east throughout the day.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the UAE remains under the influence of a surface low-pressure system interacting with moist air, leading to the formation of convective cloud cover and scattered rainfall of varying intensity.

The NCM said rainfall may be accompanied by thunder, lightning and isolated hail, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the country.

In its latest forecast, the NCM warned that unsettled conditions are expected to continue through much of Friday, with periods of rain extending beyond midday, before gradually easing later in the day.

Winds may strengthen at times, blowing dust and sand in exposed areas and reducing horizontal visibility. Sea conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea are also expected to be moderate to rough at times.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution on wet and slippery roads and advised residents to stay updated through official weather channels.