The United Arab Emirates Case of Economic Success

Tourism 
Tourism became one of the main key drivers of economic growth in the UAE 
since late 1990’s as the country also became one of the fastest-growing travel 
destinations being ranked 31
st
in the world in 2012. It was also in the year of 2012 
that tourism’s contribution share to GDP reached 14% and attracted 
approximately Dh 82,8 billion in investments, almost 23% of the country’s total 
investments (Taylor-Evans & Coyne, 2013). As a result, tourism has also 
«…benefited from, and helped spawn, a number of high-growth areas of the 
UAE’s economy, most notably hotels, airlines and airports, and retail»(Taylor-
Evans & Coyne, 2013).
Dubai has been the engine of tourism within the UAE registering 10,2 million 
visitors in 2012, followed by Abu Dhabi with 2,3 million visitors. Abu Dhabi has 
made efforts to further develop its tourism sector with mega-projects such as 
Saadiyat Island which will have the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum. Yas Island is a 
similar mega-project in Abu Dhabi that currently hosts the venues for the 
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and «…the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which is 

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the world’s largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the 
world.» (Taylor-Evans & Coyne, 2013). 
Transport and Logistics 
Since the early birth of the Federation, the UAE Government strived to develop 
the country’s transport and logistics infrastructures. With the tourism boom and 
the increasing in visitors, the aviation industry started playing a major role in the 
country. It is estimated that in 2012 the aviation industry contribution share to 
GDP reached 15% of total GDP (Taylor-Evans & Coyne, 2013). Due to the increase 
in air passenger numbers and freight volumes the UAE has been investing 
heavily in its airports and ports. In addition, the UAE is currently home to two 
of the ten safest airline companies in the world, Emirates Airlines, which ranks 
2
nd
and Etihad Airways, which ranks 8
th
(Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation 
Centre [JACDEC], 2016). 
In 2012 Dubai’s International Airport reached 58 million passengers and figures 
are estimated to increase to 98 million passengers by 2020 (Taylor-Evans & 
Coyne, 2013). It was in light of the aforementioned, that Dubai’s International 
Airport has been expanded and a new airport is being built in order to cope with 
the increase in air passengers. The Dubai World Central Al Maktoum 
International Airport is expected to be the world’s largest airport with a capacity 
of 160 million passengers (Taylor-Evans & Coyne, 2013).
4
In addition, to support 
Trade activities, Dubai hosts the Jebel Ali Port, which is «…is the largest port in 
the Middle East and the largest [port] situated between Europe and the main 
Asian Markets.» (Taylor-Evans & Coyne, 2013). 
4
Although it is operating for cargo purposes only, Dubai World Central Airport is expected to be fully 
completed by 2025. 

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