Dubai has once again proven its appeal as a top global travel destination, welcoming an impressive 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024.
This marks a significant 9% increase compared to the 8.55 million tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Following a landmark year in 2023, when the city hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors, Dubai has continued to sustain its strong tourism momentum. The growth in the first half of 2024 indicates that the city is on track for a record performance this year.
This success is guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and driven by DET’s collaborative efforts with stakeholders.
The rise in international visitation aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to further establish Dubai as a leading global destination for both business and leisure.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, emphasized the city’s commitment to growth.
He noted, “Guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s strategic vision, Dubai’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate its robust growth potential and attractive proposition for global travellers. With its sustained growth, Dubai is setting the standard for cities worldwide, in line with the objective of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai as one of the world’s top urban economies.”
The rise in international visitation is a testament to Dubai’s ability to foster productive public-private partnerships and build extensive global networks of collaboration. With each passing year, Dubai consolidates its status as a frontrunner in the global tourism landscape, growing in popularity as an international destination.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed added, “We remain committed to maintaining this successful trajectory and boosting the tourism sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP. By further developing our infrastructure and providing exceptional services for visitors, we aim to set new benchmarks and records in 2024.”
Global Accolades and Industry Events
Dubai’s strategic initiatives across key tourism pillars have not only driven visitor growth but also garnered international recognition. Starting 2024 on a high note, Dubai was named the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third successive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards in January. This makes it the first city to achieve this unique accolade.
Additionally, Dubai was named the Middle East’s leading destination by the World Travel Awards, while Dubai International Airport and Mina Rashid were named the Middle East’s leading airport and cruise port for 2024, respectively.
Key source markets
In collaboration with domestic stakeholders and more than 3,000 global partners in 80 markets, DET’s targeted campaigns resulted in Dubai achieving impressive growth in key markets in the first half of 2024. With bespoke strategies and activities highlighting the city’s unique offering, dynamic appeal and connectivity, Dubai has maintained its position as a first-choice travel destination for visitors both from key traditional and emerging markets.
From January to June 2024, proximity markets in GCC and MENA had a combined 26% share of overall visitors, with 1.27 million (14%) and 1.09 million (12%) arrivals respectively. Western Europe accounted for 20% of visitors to Dubai, with 1.89 million in total. South Asia was another major source market, with 1.62 million visitors (17%), as was CIS and Eastern Europe with 1.37 million (15%). North-East and South-East Asia grew from an 8% share at the beginning of the year to a 10% share (896,000) of total visitors by the end of H1 2024, driven by strong recovery from China. Other regions also saw a rise in visitation to Dubai, including the Americas with 617,000 (7%), Africa with 404,000 (4%) and Australasia with 154,000 (2%).
Hotels and Hospitality
Adding to the city’s appeal for global visitors, the first half of the year saw a number of high-profile openings including: The Lana, Dorchester Collection’s first Middle East property; SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai’s first fitness hotel; and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences.
The city’s accommodation portfolio will continue to grow with new openings planned throughout the rest of the year, as part of a strategic approach to expanding inventory to meet demand and ensure Dubai offers visitors a wide range of options across different categories and price points.
According to DET’s latest data, the emirate’s hotel sector continued to perform well across all hospitality metrics from January to June, including occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR), and guests’ length of stay.
Among the highest in the world, Dubai hotels’ average occupancy of 78.7% is a slight 1.0 percentage point higher than the 77.7% occupancy achieved for the same period in 2023. Occupied room nights increased by 3%, with 21.35 million at the end of H1 2024, compared to 20.73 million in H1 2023.
ADR rose to AED558 during H1, an increase of 4% compared to the same period in 2023, while RevPAR increased by 6% compared to last year, from AED415 to AED439. Meanwhile, total available rooms in Dubai reached 150,879 by the end of June 2024, compared to 148,689 rooms in June 2023, with the number of establishments standing at 823, up from 810 at the same point last year.
Partnerships and Campaigns
DET continues to create new growth pathways beyond traditional tourism through investment, entrepreneurship, and attracting global talent. Ongoing initiatives like ‘Where will Dubai take you now?’ and the ‘Drop by Dubai’ program highlight the city’s dynamic appeal. Moreover, Dubai has established partnerships with major names in the music and entertainment fields, including Hans Zimmer, and has featured prominently in popular media like Netflix’s ‘Somebody Feed Phil’.
Looking Ahead
Dubai’s status as a global entertainment hub is bolstered by a year-round calendar of business, leisure, and sporting events. Major annual events like Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, and the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises continue to attract international tourists.
With upcoming events such as Dubai Fashion Season Fall/Winter and Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai is set to further reinforce its position as a premier destination for both business and leisure in 2024.
