Why the UAE can become a major space tourism hub

Why the UAE can become a major space tourism hub

The global space tourism market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37.1% from 2022 to 2030 to reach $8.67 billion by 2030

By Anna Hazlett &. John B. Sheldon Published: Tue 1 Nov 2022, 9:20 PM

When UAE resident Hamish Harding wanted to experience the thrill of a rocket flight and several minutes of zero gravity this past summer he had to fly 15 hours to the United States, and then drive several more hours to the desert of West Texas to fulfill his dream.

Imagine if Hamish, and thousands of other dreamers and adventurers from around the world, could have the same experience from here in the UAE. Imagine if the UAE were to build a space tourism hub, with launch facilities and runways, astronaut training centers and desert camps, entertainment, and hotel stays for family and friends.

Blessed with a suitable year-round climate, excellent air connections across the UAE’s 10 commercial airports that link two-thirds of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight, (Dubai International Airport is projected to receive 55.1 million passengers in 2022, up from 29.1 million in 2021) regional centres for business, education, culture and tourism, a world-class hospitality and entertainment industry, and a