Tourism adds 22.6% to UAE economy

Dubai - The UAE topped the list of 11 countries in the Middle East in terms of the travel and tourism sector's contribution to the gross domestic product, followed by Jordan and Lebanon, according to a latest World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report based on Tourism Satellite Accounting (TSA).

"Among the 11 countries the UAE remains in pole position with a GDP contribution of 22.6 per cent and growth rate of 13.5 per cent in 2008, followed by Jordan at 19.2 per cent and Lebanon at 18.7 per cent," it said.

The Middle East travel and tourism sector is expected to generate revenue worth approximately $250 billion in 2008, rising to $456 billion over the next 10 years, according to the report.

Globally, the sector is expected to generate close to $8 trillion in 2008, rising to approximately $15 trillion over the next 10 years.