World’s Coolest Winter campaign spotlights UAE entrepreneurs

The UAE has launched the sixth edition of its World’s Coolest Winter campaign, with this year themed 'Our Winter is Entrepreneurial'.

The initiative, running from December 16 for six weeks, highlights the nation’s tourism sector, celebrating innovation, Emirati entrepreneurship and unique winter experiences.

It will showcase eco-tourist destinations, green spaces and experiences created by local entrepreneurs and startups, integrating their products and services into the country’s diverse winter offerings.

The campaign is being rolled out by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with tourism entities across the Emirates as part of the UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The initiative supports the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets AED 100 billion in new tourism investments, 40 million hotel guests, and aims to raise the sector's GDP contribution to AED 450 billion by 2031 at an average annual increase of AED 27 billion.

Since its inception, the campaign has reached over 1.2 billion people worldwide over five editions, and has helped hotel establishments generate around AED 6.7 billion in revenue.

Tourism continues to be a major economic driver, contributing AED 257 billion to the UAE GDP in 2024.

UAE hotels welcomed 26.1 million guests in the first ten months of 2025, a 5 per cent rise over the same period last year, resulting in over 89 million room nights.

Hotel revenues reached more than AED 40 billion, with occupancy rates climbing to 79 per cent, supported by a surge in international visitors and a thriving domestic tourism market.