The UAE’s hospitality market experienced a challenging first half of 2026 as regional disruptions impacted international travel demand and airline operations. The hotel occupancy rates across the country plunged 27.7% with Dubai recording the sharpest declines, said a report.
International tourist arrivals grew 2% during the first quarter of 2026, despite disruption caused by the crisis in the Middle East in March.
Total global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 3.4% in April this year, compared to April 2025, data from International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.
Dubai International Airport has ranked among the world’s busiest airports for international passenger traffic, handling 95.2 million passengers in 2025, reaffirming its position as a key global aviation hub.
