The UAE is set to merge its thriving tourism sector with its dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem through the sixth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign. This year, under the theme “Our Winter is Entrepreneurship,” the national initiative aims to empower startups and spotlight innovative, locally-grown tourism experiences.
Organized by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with various tourism, culture, and heritage authorities, the campaign builds on the significant success of its previous iterations to create new opportunities for the nation’s burgeoning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
A Strategic Vision for Growth
This year’s campaign places a strong emphasis on projects led by entrepreneurs and SMEs, which are recognized as the cornerstone of the UAE’s economy.
During a press conference, Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director of Tourism Development at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the campaign’s ambitious strategic vision. “This year, we celebrate the power of national entrepreneurship and innovation, and their ability to transform the country’s natural and cultural beauty into exceptional, world-class tourism experiences,” Al Ahbabi stated.
“We are investing in a golden equation: where accelerated tourism growth becomes a catalyst for entrepreneurial projects, and in turn, the innovation of our youth becomes a force driving further growth in the tourism sector.”
A Global Hub for Entrepreneurship
The UAE has solidified its position as a global leader in entrepreneurship, ranking first worldwide for the fourth consecutive year according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report.
Khalid Al-Kallabat, Director of SME Development at the Ministry of Economy, explained the vital role this sector plays in the national economy.
“SMEs contribute 63.5% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP and represent 95% of all companies operating in the local market,” he said. He noted that the country’s supportive business environment—which includes 100% foreign ownership in most sectors and streamlined digital registration processes—has enabled five local startups to achieve unicorn status.
“Every tourist destination in the UAE, every natural, cultural, or heritage landmark, represents a real opportunity to launch promising entrepreneurial projects that can grow locally and expand globally,” added Al Ahbabi.
Record-Breaking Tourism Performance
Officials revealed that the tourism sector’s contribution to the national GDP reached AED 257.3 billion in 2024, accounting for 13% of the total economy and marking a 26% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
International visitor spending reached AED 217.3 billion in 2024, a 5.8% rise from 2023. Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending hit AED 57.6 billion, a significant 41% increase compared to 2019.
Previous “World’s Coolest Winter” campaigns have been a major driver of this growth. Hotel revenues during the campaign surged from AED 1 billion in its first edition to AED 1.9 billion in its fifth, with a global reach exceeding 1.2 billion people. The current campaign aims to continue this momentum, contributing to the national goal of raising the tourism sector’s GDP contribution to AED 450 billion by 2031.
New Projects for Emirati Villages
Following the international success of Masfout village in Ajman, which was named the “Best Tourism Village of 2025” by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), officials announced plans to launch new projects aimed at developing Emirati villages.
The government is expected to release further details on initiatives designed to boost tourism and entrepreneurship in villages across the Emirates, reflecting a strategy that integrates entrepreneurial development with unique local tourism assets.
About World’s Coolest Winter Campaign
The “World’s Coolest Winter” is a national campaign launched by the UAE government to promote domestic tourism and showcase the diverse cultural, heritage, and environmental attractions across all seven emirates. Each year, the campaign focuses on a unique theme to stimulate economic activity and highlight different facets of the country’s offerings.
Source: Khaleej Times
