dubai tourism industry

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Dubai Tourism Statistics

In just a few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a desert backwater into one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. And now, the city is aiming to become the most visited tourist destination on the planet, with a new tourism strategy that is targeting 25 million visitors by 2025.

To achieve this goal, the city is investing heavily in infrastructure, hotels, tourist attractions, and shopping malls.

The city has already taken steps to improve its infrastructure and visitor experience.

The extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro has made it possible for visitors to reach new areas of Dubai that were previously difficult to reach by public transport.

Expo 2020 Metro Station - Dubai Metro Red Line Extension

Dubai is constantly evolving, and there are always new attractions to see and experience.

One of the latest additions to the city is Ain Dubai , which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. For those who want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, this is a must-see attraction. The View at the Palm also offers stunning panoramic views.

The Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind institution that explores the latest technological innovations, while Madame Tussauds Dubai brings iconic celebrities to life with lifelike wax figures.

These new attractions are sure to wow visitors and continue to put Dubai on the map as a must-see destination.

The city is home to some of the most luxurious and opulent hotels in the world, and new properties are being built all the time. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal, and W Dubai Mina Seyahi are just three of the hotels that opened in 2022.

These developments have made Dubai even more appealing to tourists from all over the world. There is no doubt that it is on track to becoming the most visited city on earth.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021.

However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so a more accurate comparison is with pre-pandemic figures.

In the first half of 2019, 8.36 million tourists visited the city. This means that while there has been an increase in tourism since the pandemic began, the number of tourists has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the difference between the 2022 and 2019 figures is due to the loss of Chinese tourists. In the first 6 months of 2019, 501,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai. In 2022, China’s borders remained effectively sealed as the country continued to pursue a zero-tolerance approach to a virus that other parts of the world have accepted as endemic.

However, with vaccines now available and travel restrictions beginning to ease, it is expected that Dubai will soon return to the pre-pandemic growth levels.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

After a difficult year in 2020, Dubai’s tourism industry saw a rebound in visitor numbers in 2021. With global travel ramping up and COVID-19 restrictions easing, the city welcomed back tourists from all over the world.

In total, 7.28 million visitors arrived in the city in 2021, compared to 5.51 million in 2020. This was a significant increase of over 32 per cent.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the statistics for the first half of 2022, the top five countries of origin for visitors are India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia.

These five countries account for over 40 per cent of all visitors to Dubai. However, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of visitors from other countries as well.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

India has always been an important market for Dubai’s tourism sector, and that was no different in 2021. India remained the city’s top international visitor source market, accounting for 910,000 visitors. That’s a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Many factors have contributed to India being the top source of visitors. One is the abundance of direct flights that make it convenient and affordable for Indian travellers to visit Dubai. Another is the wide range of hotel options, which appeals to a broad range of travellers.

Saudi Arabia had the second highest number of visitors in 2021 with 491,000 visitors. This was an increase of over 22 per cent from the previous year. This is a very impressive result, especially considering that Saudi Arabia closed its borders to all travel up to May 2021.

Russia was again one of the city’s largest tourism source markets, with 444,000 visitors in 2021, an increase of 50 per cent from the previous year.

Visitors from Oman, historically one of Dubai’s top five source markets, were significantly reduced in 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Omani government reopened its borders with the UAE to vaccinated travellers in September 2021.

Visitors by Source Market – January to June 2022 and 2021

Western Europe and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) were the top source markets for the city in the first 6 months of 2022.

As noted above, Oman and Saudi Arabia have historically been amongst Dubai’s top international visitor source markets. Both of these GCC countries had strict travel restrictions in place for much of 2021.

Purpose of Visit

The data for 2021 and previous years shows that most people travel to Dubai for leisure reasons, whether it be to enjoy the city’s many attractions or to relax in its luxurious hotels and resorts. Business travellers accounted for 12 per cent of all visitors to the city in 2021, which was consistent with 2020. Many business visitors are attracted by events such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.

The proportion of travellers visiting the city to see friends and relatives in 2021 rose to 16 per cent, up 3 per cent from 2020.

Hotels – Room Nights

In 2021, hotels in Dubai bounced back from the pandemic with some of their best results ever.

Thanks to a strong rise in the number of domestic guests, the city’s hotel industry had the second highest number of room nights sold on record. The remarkable figure of 31.47 million was only slightly down on the pre-pandemic peak of 32.11 million recorded in 2019.

Guests also stayed longer in 2021, averaging 4.6 nights compared to 4.2 nights the year before.

Hotels – Number and Occupancy

In 2021, Dubai offered more hotel choices to travellers, as the city’s hotel room inventory grew. At the end of the year, the city had a total of 755 hotels and hotel apartments with 137,950 rooms available. This is compared to 711 hotels and hotel apartments with 126,947 rooms at the end of 2020.

This increase in the number of hotel rooms provided travellers with more options to find lodging that met their needs and budget.

The average hotel occupancy rate in 2021 was 67 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2020.

Hotels – Location

Hotels and hotel apartments are found in many areas of Dubai.

The areas with the greatest number of rooms are Deira , Al Barsha , Jumeirah , Downtown Dubai , and Dubai Marina .

The Palm Jumeirah has the highest proportion of 5-star rooms. 87 per cent of available rooms here are in 5-star hotels. Bur Dubai has the lowest proportion of 5-star rooms.

Jebel Ali and Deira are best for budget visitors. In both of these areas, the proportion of rooms in 1 to 3-star hotels is just under 40 per cent.

Top World Cities by Visitor Numbers

According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018 (published September 2019), Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. Only Bangkok, Paris, and London attracted more overnight visitors.

Dubai was the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

Dubai topped the list for both total and average daily visitor spending. The average visitor to the city spent $533 (£464.17, €538.95, 1957.76 AED) per day in 2018, much higher than in any of the other cities.

Total visitor spending in Dubai for the year was $30.82 billion.

At the time of writing (September 2022), Mastercard has not published the report for any years after 2018.

Dubai International Airport Passenger Numbers

According to a report from Airports Council International (published in April 2022), Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world’s busiest airport in 2021 in terms of international passenger traffic.

The busiest airport in terms of total passengers (international and domestic) was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The UAE is a small country. There are no domestic flights from Dubai International Airport or any other airport in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah).

Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of the world’s airports.

Dubai Duty Free - Dubai International Airport

Top Tourist Attractions

According to Tripadvisor the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai (September 2022) are:

Burj Khalifa
Dubai Fountain
Dubai Miracle Garden
Global Village
Dubai Frame
Atlantis Aquaventure
Burj Al Arab
Dubai Creek
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Mall of the Emirates
The Lost Chambers
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai Marina
LEGOLAND Dubai

Tripadvisor is a travel website that helps users find hotels, restaurants, and activities for their upcoming trips. The website also includes user-generated reviews and ratings, as well as photos and videos. It is a great resource for travellers who want to get the most out of their trip.

Dubai tourism industry’s Q1-2023 numbers close in on pre-pandemic levels

Travel & tourism.

Mega projects give Dubai’s tourism sector a strong head start to achieve long-termtargets

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Dubai: Dubai’s tourism industry has begun the year 2023 on a bright note with vital growth indicators closing in on pre-pandemic levels, giving the emirate a head start in the race to achieve its strategic long-term targets over the next decade.

With public and private sector players rolling out a series of mega projects and major global hospitality brands making a beeline to invest in the emirate, tourism is set to be a big contributor to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal of doubling the city’s economy in the next 10 years. In 2022, the emirate’s tourism sector contributed $29.4 billion to its economy, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

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Dubai’s ambitious plans for tourism growth also support a national strategy launched in November last year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to attract Dh100 billion in additional tourism investments and receive 40 million hotel guests in 2031. The plan includes 25 initiatives and policies.

“Dubai’s ability to simultaneously leverage new opportunities and industry trends whilst navigating the impact of global challenges has made it one of the world’s most attractive and fastest-growing tourism and economic cities,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. “With a unique and diverse tourism proposition, diversified market strategy, world-leading urban infrastructure, inclusive and cohesive public-private partnership ecosystem and high safety and security, Dubai continues to be the preferred choice for global travellers.

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Rising investment

Dubai has introduced a new strategic plan for exponential tourism growth powered by a massive expansion of its hospitality and leisure infrastructure. From island destinations to unique waterfront communities, Dubai is implementing new game-changing megaprojects. Consistent with Dubai’s ethos of private-public sector cooperation, the emirate’s tourism mega projects are fostering synergistic partnerships that are creating new economic value.

Recent investments have led to the growth of Dubai’s hotel stock to 148,877 rooms in 814 hotel establishments compared to 118,039 rooms in 717 hotel establishments in 2019, a rise of 26 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Another 8,000 rooms are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023, according to KPMG.

Nakheel is set to launch the Dubai Islands comprising five islands across a total area of 17 sq. km, a destination offering a mix of residential, retail, leisure and hospitality services. A development that creates new experiences for international travellers, the Dubai Islands features 20 km of beachfront, 2 sq. km. of parks, and more than 80 hotels, including luxury and wellness resorts, and boutique, family and eco-conscious hotels.

STOCK 230504 Tourist pics CE017-1683294959863

The 6 sq. km Dubai Creek Harbour project, a joint venture between Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties set to be built over the next decade, featuring premium serviced apartments, residential complexes and parks, is set to further stimulate the city’s tourism and hospitality markets. Other major projects include Meraas’ newest seafront destination, Port de La Mer, which features six plots inspired by the elements of seaside living.

With the continued rollout of large projects, the city has steadily strengthened its position as a focal point for global tourism investments. Dubai currently holds the top global spot for FDI inflows into the tourism sector, according to The Financial Times’ fDi Markets data.

In another vote of confidence for Dubai’s emergence both as a tourism destination and a global commercial hub, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts last month relocated its global headquarters from Paris to Dubai. Fairmont’s parent company Accor said the decision was driven by the city’s “strong position as a global hub; strategic proximity to Europe, Asia, and Africa; and the city’s ability to attract top talent, brands, companies and investors.” The move reflects a larger shift in the centre of gravity of the global tourism industry from the west to the east. With nearly 40 per cent of Fairmont’s current development projects located in the IMEAT (India, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye) region, the relocation to Dubai allows Fairmont to take advantage of vast opportunities in the region’s fast-growing tourism markets.

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Dubai achieves its best ever annual tourism performance with international tourists

07 Feb, 2024

- Dubai achieves its best ever annual tourism performance with international tourists growing by 19.4% to 17.15 million in 2023

Dubai welcomed more tourists than ever before in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors over the course of the year, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Representing a 19.4% YoY growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022, last year’s figure also exceeded the previous record of 16.73 million visitors registered in 2019.

The growth aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched just over a year ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work in.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The best ever performance of Dubai's tourism sector in 2023 is a testament to the foresight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness’s commitment to fostering resilience, excellence and innovation across economic sectors and encouraging meaningful public-private partnerships that deliver value has had a transformative impact on tourism development in the emirate.

Dubai’s ability to constantly generate diverse and refreshingly novel travel and tourism experiences catering to a wide range of visitors has been a key factor behind this exceptional performance. With several indicators outperforming pre-pandemic levels, this year’s results mark Dubai out as a vibrant focal point of growth in the global tourism landscape.”

Celebrating a record-breaking year in 2023, Dubai further bolstered its ranking as the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third successive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, the first city to achieve this unique accolade. The milestones are testament to the emirate’s vibrant and diverse offerings, supported by world-class infrastructure, exceptional service at all touchpoints, and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors.

The city caters to travellers of all budgets and preferences, and a year-round calendar of business, leisure and sporting events continues to attract international visitors. The tourism sector's performance closely parallels the emirate's 3.3% GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023, further highlighting the symbiotic relationship between tourism and economic prosperity. Accommodation and food services activities witnessed a remarkable 11.1% growth, solidifying Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader.

Dubai’s international visitor performance has outshone global tourism trends, with the latest data from the UN World Tourism Organisation revealing that, overall, international tourism reached 88% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. The only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels with 22% visitation growth above 2019, the Middle East led global recovery in relative terms.

His Excellency, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: "The significant rebound of Dubai's tourism sector, outstripping global recovery rates, stands as a testament to the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This surge not only commemorates the inaugural year of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 but also highlights the efficacy of a strategy that is a decade in the making, exemplifying resilience and adaptability as central to our economic impetus.

Under the oversight of this decisive leadership and a proven public-private partnership model, Dubai has sustained robust growth, fostering confidence within local and global industries, players and enablers.

Our success stems from a diversified portfolio, with significant gains in leisure, new emerging segments, and the MICE sector as a whole, which have been further catalysed by liberal visa policies and dynamic private sector ambition. These strides reinforce Dubai's status as a premier destination for living, visiting, and conducting business.

With the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s strategy serving as our economic compass for the next ten years, we are committed to strengthening the tourism sector, enhancing our assets and infrastructure, and stimulating broader economic growth. This comprehensive approach ensures tourism thrives in tandem with our goals of talent acquisition, business acceleration and government innovation, to position Dubai as the epicentre for all those eyeing their next phase of growth and expansion."

Key regions maintain momentum

The strong tourism performance in 2023 saw Dubai maintain its position as a first-choice travel destination for visitors both from key traditional and emerging markets. From a regional perspective, the GCC and MENA delivered a combined 28% of the share, demonstrating Dubai’s allure as a trusted and favoured destination for visitors from neighbouring markets. Western Europe and South Asia accounted for 19% and 18% of arrivals respectively, while CIS/Eastern Europe recorded a 13% share. The North Asia and South-East Asia region accounted for 9% of arrivals, the Americas contributed 7%, Africa 4% and Australasia 2%.

Hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all metrics

Dubai’s hospitality sector, which is integral to the emirate’s destination promise and overall growth of the tourism industry, continued to perform strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across all hospitality metrics - Occupancy, Occupied Room Nights, Guests’ Length of Stay, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR).

Occupancy remains among the highest in the world

Average occupancy for the hotel sector in 2023 stood at 77.4%, among the world’s highest, increasing from 72.9% in 2022 and exceeding the 75.3% average occupancy in 2019. The high occupancy level is an exceptional achievement, given an overall 19% increase in room supply in 2023 compared to 2019.

Milestone 150,000 room keys achieved

Dubai’s hotel inventory at the end of December 2023 comprised 150,291 rooms at 821 establishments, compared to 146,496 rooms available at the end of December 2022 across 804 establishments and 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. Last year’s milestone achievement reflects the growth and success in the hospitality industry.

Occupied room nights surge to record high

In 2023, occupied room nights soared to a record high of 41.70 million, marking a 11% increase compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represents a substantial 30% rise from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 32.11 million occupied room nights.

Reflecting the commitment of the city and hospitality sector to offer competitive pricing, the 2023 ADR of AED536 matched the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 6% compared to 2022 (AED415 vs. AED391) and a growth of 33% over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). Guests’ Length of Stay was 3.8 nights in 2023, a 10% increase from 3.4 nights in 2019.

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “As Dubai continues its exponential growth in alignment with the D33 Agenda set forth by our forward-thinking leadership, we remain committed to further elevating our standards and to advancing with innovative and distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions.

The extensive range of offerings and Dubai's reputation as a secure, inclusive and accessible destination have been consistently recognised across multiple global indices, culminating in the city being crowned the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third year in a row in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024.

Our partners have played a crucial role in achieving this top ranking through their contributions to Dubai's tourism expansion and the industry's rapid resurgence, especially with their active involvement in our global campaigns and marketing endeavours. The sustained success will further enhance visitors’ enduring trust, confidence and affinity for Dubai, as it accelerates towards the goal of becoming the best city to visit, live and work in, and ultimately converting visitors into long-term residents.

We are strategically harnessing the significant momentum generated during a highly successful 2023 to drive growth across all segments of tourism. As we look forward to welcoming more visitors in 2024, the unwavering support of our public and private sector partners will be pivotal in enhancing our capacity to showcase our unparalleled offerings tailored to cater to the diverse preferences and budgets of international travellers.”

Global liveability hub

In addition to securing the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards, Dubai also garnered recognition across various fronts, offering residents and visitors a unique blend of opportunities, safety, and world-class amenities in a vibrant and dynamic setting.

In a report by financial services provider Remitly, Dubai was hailed as the No.1 city in the world to relocate to in 2023, showcasing its allure as a preferred destination for individuals seeking new opportunities and a high quality of life. Furthermore, property consultancy Savills identified Dubai as the best city in the world for remote workers, emphasising its conducive environment for professionals embracing the virtual working lifestyle.

Dubai’s appeal as a thriving global hub was further highlighted by Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, which named Dubai the world’s No.2 city destination, highlighting its popularity among international travellers. The city's recognition as one of the top 10 cities in the Global Power City Index, as reported by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies in Japan, further reinforces its stature as a key player on the global stage.

Kicking off global partnerships and campaigns

As part of its year-round drive to showcase Dubai to the world, DET entered into a landmark collaboration with Spanish football giants Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. The multi-year agreement has brought together two iconic brands and builds on Real Madrid’s longtime partnership with Dubai's flagship airline, Emirates, while Dubai Parks and Resorts™ will also be home to the first Real Madrid-themed park, Real Madrid World.

Keeping with the emirate’s “nothing is impossible” spirit, Dubai hosted another record-breaking stunt with Red Bull Air Race Champion Luke Czepiela landing his plane on the helipad of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, encouraging visitors and residents to achieve new heights and push boundaries. Another feat in 2023 saw American Brian Grubb performing a world-first wakeskate and base jump at the Address Beach Resort.

Dubai has also established a strong and ongoing partnership with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer that goes beyond a typical concert. "Hans Zimmer Live" marked his first Middle East performance at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena during the region’s longest running Dubai Shopping Festival, kicking off a deep exploration into the city's culture.

This collaboration was not just a one-time show. Zimmer has become a vocal supporter of Dubai, creating "Sounds of Dubai," a unique musical piece that captures the city's vibe.

More than just entertainment, this collaboration aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, showcasing Dubai's ability to blend tradition with innovation, highlighting the value in its creative talent. This diverse approach enriches Dubai's global image as a hub for culture and collaboration, contributing to the city's ongoing success story.

International events destination

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) positions Dubai as an international entertainment hub, and in 2023, the city hosted an array of year-round events spearheaded by the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival. DFRE’s annual Retail Calendar encompasses everything from arts and books, food and sports, music and concerts, heritage and culture through to shopping and fashion, as well as retail promotions offering life-changing prizes to lucky residents and visitors.

The region’s leading destination for business events, Dubai attracts a wide range of business travellers through its calendar of annual exhibitions and trade shows that are among the largest in the world. Major business and leisure events held in 2023 included Gulfood (134,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors), Gitex Global Dubai (170,000 visitors and 6,000 exhibitors), the International Boat Show (30,000 visitors) and Arabian Travel Market (40,000 visitors). Dubai Business Events, part of DET and the city’s official convention bureau, ensured continued growth in this space by working with stakeholders to win a record 349 bids to host international conferences, congresses, meetings, and incentive travel programmes over the coming years.

Culinary innovation and accolades

With a vibrant and thriving gastronomy scene, Dubai is a modern culinary capital with 13,000 restaurants and cafes offering a wide variety of cuisines and experiences. Following its launch in 2022, the second edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai was released in 2023, with three new one-star restaurants and one new two-starred included. In total, the 2023 guide featured 90 restaurants, up from 69, including three that were awarded two stars, 11 with one star, three with a Green Star, 17 Bib Gourmands and 59 Michelin selected restaurants.

Two homegrown Dubai restaurants were included in The World's 50 Best Restaurants List for 2023. Trèsind Studio was ranked at No.11, Orfali Bros Bistro was No.46 while Ossiano was part of the extended list, at No.87. There were also 113 Dubai restaurants included in the Gault&Millau UAE 2023 guide.

Delivering on sustainability goals

Dubai is a leader in sustainability, with its efforts aligning with global objectives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, the ongoing Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) drive initiated by DET provides support for the hospitality industry through several programmes.

In July 2023, DET launched the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, a new initiative, as part of DST, that recently recognised 70 hotels with the highest level of adherence to DET’s ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’, the first of its kind in the region. Developed in collaboration with Dubai’s hospitality sector, the stamp is designed to accelerate efforts towards empowering the tourism sector to achieve its sustainability goals and serve as a validation of the hotel’s dedication to sustainable practices.

Other sustainability initiatives include Dubai Can, with its ‘Refill for Life’ campaign promoting the use of reusable bottles and encouraging people to refill via 50 water fountains established throughout the city. A second Dubai Can project, the Dubai Reef, was launched in December 2023. One of the world’s largest marine reef developments, Dubai Reef is part of the city’s efforts to increase fish stocks, support sustainable fishing, and contribute to boosting food security. It will also play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and increasing marine biodiversity.

DET also relaunched the pioneering Carbon Calculator tool that measures the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. The city’s sustainability profile received a significant boost towards the end of 2023 when the UAE hosted COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, at Expo City Dubai.

Global cruise and yacht tourism destination

As a key pillar of the emirate’s tourism industry, cruise tourism will help drive efforts to transform Dubai into one of the world’s top three cities for business and leisure in line with the D33 Agenda. The expansion of the cruise sector has significant benefits for Dubai as a regional tourism hub and the development of the cruising industry further consolidates Dubai’s status as a gateway to the region.

Dubai’s 2023-2024 cruise season was launched with the arrival of the luxury liner Mein Schiff 2 in October. The vessel docked at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Mina Rashid, marking the start of another exciting period for cruise enthusiasts. Visitation by cruise passengers is largely concentrated around key cruise hubs, such as Mina Rashid which offers easy access to the historic Dubai Creek, home to the city’s rich cultural heritage, and Dubai Harbour located next to the lively Dubai Marina and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Dubai’s position as the region’s cruise hub is further validated by the city being awarded the Best Port at the CRUCEROADICTO AWARDS in Spain, an international recognition of the best cruise lines, ships, and ports selected by global cruise travellers.

With 15 marinas, more than 3,600 berths and seamless support facilities for pleasure crafts, superyachts and gigayachts, Dubai has also become a magnet for global yacht tourism. The winter season from October to April attracts more and more yachts annually and the emirate’s strategic location provides easy access to some of the most scenic yachting destinations in the region, as well as the UAE’s stunning coastline.

New initiatives to spur growth

Another major initiative announced in 2023 was the Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches, which aims to increase the length of public beaches by 400% by 2040 and increase services offered on public beaches by 300% by 2025. Dubai’s tourism offering will be further expanded with the implementation of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Strategic goals of this long-term plan include doubling green and leisure areas and enhancing their qualities, safeguarding the emirate’s cultural and urban heritage, and providing sustainable and flexible means of mobility. Under the Master Plan, the total space dedicated to hotels and tourist activities will increase by over 100% over the next two decades.

To read the latest research, insights and official reports from across Dubai’s tourism industry, please visit: www.dubaitourism.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights.

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Premium Statistic International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029
Premium Statistic Per capita spending on restaurants and hotels in the UAE 2014-2029
Premium Statistic Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates 2013-2028

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates from 2013 to 2028

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates from 2006 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Per capita spending on restaurants and hotels in the UAE 2014-2029

Per capita consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates from 2006 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029
Premium Statistic Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin
Premium Statistic Annual growth in number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin
Premium Statistic Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by region
Premium Statistic Share of tourist trips UAE 2022, by purpose

Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin

Number of guests at hotels and hotel apartments in United Arab Emirates in 2022, by region of origin (in 1,000s)

Annual growth in number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin

Annual growth in number of guests at hotels and hotel apartments in United Arab Emirates in 2022, by region of origin

Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by region

Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai in 2022, by region

Share of tourist trips UAE 2022, by purpose

Share of tourist trips in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by purpose

Tourism attitudes

Premium Statistic Travel product bookings in the UAE 2023
Premium Statistic Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE 2023
Premium Statistic Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE 2023
Premium Statistic Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE 2023

Travel product bookings in the UAE 2023

Travel product bookings in the UAE as of March 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE as of March 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE as of March 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE as of March 2023

Hotel supply

Premium Statistic Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022
Premium Statistic Number of rooms in hotels UAE 2008-2022
Premium Statistic Share of hotel key supply UAE 2023, by hotel class

Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022

Total number of hotels and similar establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2022

Number of rooms in hotels UAE 2008-2022

Total number of rooms in hotels and similar establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Share of hotel key supply UAE 2023, by hotel class

Share of hotel key supply in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, by hotel class

Hospitality indicators

Premium Statistic Revenue of hotel industry UAE 2022 by type
Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
Premium Statistic Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022
Premium Statistic Occupancy rate in the UAE 2022, by emirate
Premium Statistic Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022
Premium Statistic Average daily rate in UAE 2022, by emirate

Revenue of hotel industry UAE 2022 by type

Revenue of hotel industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022, by type (in million UAE dirham)

Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Revenue per available room of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate (in UAE dirhams)

Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Change in revenue per available room of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate

Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022

Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels and similar accommodation establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2000 to 2022

Occupancy rate in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Occupancy rate of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate

Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022

Average length of stay in hotels and similar accommodation establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2002 to 2022

Average daily rate in UAE 2022, by emirate

Average daily rate of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate (in UAE dirhams)

Premium Statistic Number of pipeline luxury hotels GCC 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class
Premium Statistic Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026
Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase
Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

Number of pipeline luxury hotels in the Gulf Cooperation Council as of 2023, by country

Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class

Share of rooms of pipeline hotel projects in the United Arab Emirates between 2023 and 2028, by hotel class

Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026

Forecasted revenue of the hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates from 2021 to 2026 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase

Distribution of hotel projects in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by phase

Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

Distribution of hotel projects in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from 2022 to 2025, by planned completion date

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Blog / infographics / DUBAI TOURISM STATISTICS 2024 (INFOGRAPHICS)

DUBAI TOURISM STATISTICS 2024 (INFOGRAPHICS)

Posted by gmi blogger posted in infographics.

The post-pandemic world has seen many changes and struggles especially for the tourist sector.

Dubai has bravely faced these challenges through its innovation and dedication.

In 2024, the city’s exceptional performance in tourism has been underscored by various accolades like the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024 (third year in a row) and being ranked as the world’s No.1 city destination in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 by Euromonitor International.

These achievements are a result of programmes by the Dubai government like the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

These initiatives aim to channel Dubai’s charm along with its world-class amenities and infrastructure to attract both visitors and workers.

In the past year, the city has entered into collaborations with icons like Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (opening a real-madrid theme park) and the artistic genius of Hans Zimmer who created “Sounds of Dubai” (a musical piece that shows the city’s vibe).

It has also graciously hosted several global events including Gulfood and Gitex Global Dubai drawing crowds from far and wide.

All these have helped in reaffirming the city’s position as a top tourist destination.

Let’s look at the tourism statistics of 2024 and try to understand the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2024 (Key Points)

Total International Visitors in the month of January 2024 alone is 1.77 Million

According to the research done by GMI Team , a total of 17.15 million people visited Dubai between January and December 2023.

There was an approximate 19.43% increase in international visitors to Dubai in 2023 compared to 2022 (14.36 million).

Dubai boasts a substantial accommodation infrastructure, with 821 hotels catering to tourists.

Visitors to Dubai have access to a vast array of accommodation options, with 150,291 rooms available across the city.

The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai is 536 AED, offering tourists a range of choices to suit their budgets.

Accommodation Available in Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023]

As tourism in Dubai grows, so does its hospitality industry.

In 2023, the emirate saw a significant rise in both the number of hotels and available rooms.

The total number of hotels for accommodation rose to 821, up from 804 in 2022 and 755 in 2021.

This represents a growth of approximately 2.1% from 2022 and a substantial 8.7% increase from 2021.

The number of available rooms in Dubai also saw a steady rise over these years.

In 2023, there were 150,291 rooms available, an increase from 146,496 in 2022 and 137,950 in 2021.

This indicates a growth of about 2.6% from 2022 and a notable 8.9% rise from 2021.

The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai remained constant at 536 AED in 2022 and 2023, showing a commitment towards competitive pricing.

However, there was a significant increase of 18.8% from the 2021 rate of 451 AED.

These figures highlight that Dubai’s hospitality industry is growing in tandem with the rise in tourism.

Top Sources of Visitors to Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023] *

Dubai was buzzing with tourists in 2023, and guess what?

India took the lead, sending over 2.2 million eager explorers to the city!

They made up a whopping 12.83%(2,200,345) of all visitors.

Oman wasn’t far behind, with its army of adventurers making up 9.13%(1,565,795) of the crowd.

Saudi Arabia, who added their flair to the mix, accounted for 8.47%(1,452,605) of visitors.

The UK, Russia, and the US brought in their fair share of tourists too, adding to the vibrant tapestry of cultures.

The UK contributed 7.26%(1,245,090) of the total visitors, while Russia accounted for 5.28%(905,520) and the US added 4.11%(704,865) to the total.

Germany, France, Pakistan, and Iran all had their moments in the Dubai sun.

Germany’s tourists represented 2.94%(504,210) of the total, while France made up 2.53%(433,895).

Pakistan and Iran also played significant roles, with Pakistan contributing 2.48%(425,320) and Iran bringing in approximately 2.28%(391,020).

Additionally, a multitude of other countries collectively accounted for a substantial portion of Dubai’s tourist arrivals- 42.69%(7,321,335).

Dubai truly is a melting pot of cultures and experiences, drawing in people from all corners of the globe.

Note: * Calculations made by the GMI research team based on growth percentages.

Source of Visitors by Region [Jan to Dec 2023]

Dubai’s tourism scene is truly a global affair, with visitors pouring in from all corners of the world.

The reasons could be many, such as the emirate’s sunny landscapes, towering skyscrapers, renowned shopping, and entertainment offerings.

Western Europe takes the lead with a solid 19% share, sending over 3.25 million tourists.

South Asia follows closely behind, contributing an impressive 18% share, that is, over 3 million visitors.

The GCC region, including neighboring countries, makes up 16% of the crowd, with approximately 2.74 million visitors.

Eastern Europe, MENA, and North Asia & South East Asia each play significant roles, adding 13% (22,29,500), 12% (20,58,000) and 9% (15,43,500) respectively.

The Americas contribute 7% (12,00,500), Africa 4% (68,6000), and Australasia 2% (34,3000).

All these figures showcase Dubai’s global appeal as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

International Tourists in Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023]

Dubai’s allure as a top tourist destination has steadily grown over the years, with a notable surge in international visitors.

In 2023, the city welcomed a staggering 17.15 million international tourists, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s 14.36 million arrivals.

This upward trend reflects Dubai’s continued efforts to attract visitors from across the globe.

Looking back, the numbers tell an intriguing story: in 2021, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Dubai still managed to host 7.28 million international tourists, showcasing its resilience and appeal as a travel destination.

And if we rewind to 2019, we see a peak of 16.73 million tourists, highlighting Dubai’s long-standing popularity among travelers.

Over the years, Dubai has consistently drawn in millions of visitors, solidifying its position as a premier tourist hotspot in the Middle East.

With each passing year, the city’s tourism industry continues to flourish, offering travelers unforgettable experiences and memories to cherish.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2023 (Key Points)

According to the research done by GMI Team , a total of 15.37 million people visited Dubai between January and November 2023.

Of all the countries, India contributed the highest number of visitors to Dubai in January-October 2023, with 2.0 million.

Dubai welcomed 8.55 million international visitors in the fiirst half of 2023.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q1 2023 is 4.67 million.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q2 2023 is 3.88 million.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q3 2023 is 3.85 million.

The majority of Dubai’s international visitors in Q1 2023 came from India (612K visitors).

Total number of international visitors in 2022 was 14.36 million.

Dubai saw an increase of 7.08 million visitors in 2022, which is a 97% increase from 2021.

Number of hotels available for accommodation in Dubai as of the end of 2022 were 804, with 146,496 rooms.

Average daily rate for a hotel room in Dubai is 536 AED.

India was the major source of visitors in 2022 with 1.8 Million visitors.

GCC and Western Europe were the two regions that contributed the highest percentage of visitors, each contributing 21%.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2023 [Infographics]

Accommodation Available in Dubai [Jan – Dec 2022]

From luxurious resorts like The Ritz Carlton to affordable hostels like Backpacker 16, anyone planning to visit Dubai can easily find accommodations based on their budget and preferences. By the end of 2022, there were 804 hotels available with 146,496 rooms. The average daily hotel room rate in Dubai is 536 AED.

Top Sources of Visitors to Dubai [Jan – Dec 2022]

Based on our Dubai tourism data research, India is one of the top sources of visitors to Dubai, with 1,842,000 Indians touring the region in 2022.

Oman is in the second position with 1,311,000 visitors, and Saudi Arabia occupies the third position with 1,216,000.

Source of Visitors by Region [Jan – Dec 2022]

Looking at the region-wise distribution of tourists in 2022, we can see that the GCC and Western Europe together supplied 42% of the total visitors.

The second position is occupied by South Asia with 17%, and MENA comes in the third position with 12% visitors.

International Tourists in Dubai [2015 -2022]

According to GMI research Team, Dubai has seen a steady influx of international tourists over the past several years, except between 2019 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

While 16.73 million visitors came in 2019, the number drastically reduced to 7.28 million in 2021.

However, with the help of strict COVID guidelines and attractive marketing strategies, ‘safe’ travel was once again introduced to international visitors. Thus, by 2022, the number had again risen to 14.36 million.

Top 5 International Destinations

According to Travel Medium , Dubai is the fourth most visited city in the world after Bangkok, Paris and London. Bangkok ranked first on the list, and has an average visitor count of more than 22 million.

Paris, the second most visited city in the world, attracts visitors with its classic buildings, arching Parisian bridges and elegant boulevards. The city has an average of 19.10 million visitors.

Renowned for its Gothic architecture, London is the 3rd most visited city in the world. The city attracts more than 19 million tourists.

With around 16 million international visitors, Dubai ranks fourth on the list. The city is popular for its highrises, mega-malls, and desert trips.

Singapore comes fifth on this list with around 15 million visitors. This green and innovative city is a tourist hotspot with its unique hawker centers, street markets and fine dining restaurants.

Top Tourist Destinations in Dubai

Dubai is a dream city with the tallest skyscrapers, shopping malls, mammoth aquariums, indoor ski slopes and a number of other tourist spots. The city attracts thousands of visitors every day.

As per the list of most popular tourist destinations in Dubai by Trip Advisor, the Burj Khalifa is the most visited site. The list claims that the Burj Khalifa is more popular than the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall as well as the Dubai Miracle Garden.

Burj Al Arab, the most popular luxury hotel in Dubai, came first on the list of ‘Top Sites To See In Dubai’ on Lonely Planet, another travel portal. In this list, the Burj Khalifa ranks fourth after IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Museum.

Most Famous Buildings & Artificial Islands in Dubai

Being the favourite tourist destination and the most searched place in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is, without doubt, the most famous building.

Burj Al Arab is the next most famous building, followed by Atlantis the Palm, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Cayan Tower, and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

The world’s largest artificial island, Palm Jumeirah is in Dubai. The island is shaped like a palm tree and is filled with luxury hotels, beachfront villas, and apartments. World Islands, an archipelago of small artificial islands, is located off the coast of Dubai.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2022

Total International Visitors from Jan to Nov 2022 is 12.82 Million.
India was the highest number of international visitors in Jan – Nov 2022, with 1.6M visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to Oct 2022 is 11.40 Million.
India was the highest number of international visitors in Jan – Oct 2022, with 1.4M visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to Sep 2022 is 10.12 Million.
India was the major source of tourists in Jan – Sep 2022, with 1.2M visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to June 2022 is 7.12 Million.
India was the major source of tourists in Jan – June 2022, with 858K visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to May 2022 is 6.17 Million.
India was the major source of tourists in Jan – May 2022, with 707K visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to April 2022 is 5.10 Million.
Oman was the major source of tourists in Jan – April 2022, with 590K visitors.
Total International Visitors from Jan to March 2022 is 3.97 Million.
Oman was the major source of tourists in Jan – March 2022, with 463K visitors
Total International Visitors from Jan to Feb 2022 is 2.19 Million.
Saudi Arabia was the major source of tourists in Jan – Feb 2022, with 194K visitors
Total Visitors in the Month of January 2022 alone 979.7K
Saudi Arabia was the major source of tourists in January 2022, with 105K visitors
Total International Visitors in 2021 – 7.28 Million
Total Number of Hotels for Accommodation 2021 – 755
Available Rooms in Dubai 2021 – 137,950
Average Daily Rate for Rooms in Dubai 2021 – 451 AED

Accommodation Available in Dubai (Jan – Dec 2021)

With hotels dotted everywhere in Dubai, finding a good place to stay is no big deal. From five star resorts to budget hotels, you can choose accommodation based on your travel preferences.

As of 2021, there are 755 hotels and nearly 137,950 rooms available for tourists in Dubai. The average rate of rooms is AED 451 per day.

67% is their average occupancy level and the average length of stay is 4.6 nights.

International Tourists in Dubai

In 2015, the total number of international tourists accounted for 14.2 million. The figure rose gradually over four years, touching 16.73 million in 2019. However, the pandemic put a damper on the tourism sector, causing a sudden plunge in the annual visitations. According to official estimates, only 5.51 million tourists came to Dubai in 2020. Now, the UAE government is taking necessary measures to revive the tourism sector again.

Top Sources of visitors to Dubai (Jan-Dec 2021)

The UAE tourism sector under the effective guidance of the government undertook ‘revival’ strategies to open its doors to visitors. Innovative solutions were designed to adjust to the ‘new’ normal and make the visitors feel safe while travelling. These efforts to rekindle the tourism sector did not go in vain.

Around 7.28 million foreign nationals visited Dubai between Jan and Dec 2021. Of which, nearly 0.91 million were Indians. India was (and continues to be) the primary source of visitors to Dubai and UAE. Saudi Arabia came in second with 0.49 million visitors followed by Russia with 0.44 million. You can check the chart for the top ten sources of visitors to Dubai.

Sources of Visitors by Region (Jan – Dec 2021)

When we take the region-wise distribution into account, from January to December 2021, Western Europeans dominated the tourist category with 22% of the total visitors. South Asians followed close with 18%. The third position was occupied by Eastern Europeans with 15%. While 13% of tourists were from the MENA and GCC region and 8% of tourists came from the African region.

Most Searched ‘Dubai’ Places on Google

Unsurprisingly, Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, is the most searched place on Google. Nearly 1 million people search Burj Khalifa every month, which is almost 6 times higher than Burj Al Arab, the second spot with 1,60,000 searches. The Dubai mall is the third most searched place in Dubai with 99,000 searches per month and Global Village comes in fourth place with 52,000 monthly searches. Moreover, 35,000 people search for Ski Dubai, 25,000 people search for Dubai Frame and 15,000 people search for Dubai Miracle Garden every month.

Events that Promote Tourism in Dubai

Apart from the architectural marvels, Dubai hosts a lot of festivals and events every year. Dubai Shopping Festival, Dhow Race, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai World Cup, etc. are some of them. Every year these events attract thousands of tourists from all corners of the world.

The year 2021 saw the grand opening of the most-awaited Dubai Expo 2020. Let’s take a look at the two main attractions of 2021 that generated the maximum visitations.

Dubai Expo 2020

The Dubai Expo 2020 was a 6-month long event that started on 1st October 2021 and ended on 31st March 2022. 24 million visitors from over 178 countries travelled to witness the breathtaking architecture, groundbreaking technological advances and thrilling live performances staged at the expo For the first time in world expo history, each country showcased itself through a pavilion. The theme of the expo was Connecting Minds and Creating the Future.

For those who could not visit the Expo and those wishing to revisit their experiences, the Virtualexpodubai.com became a boon. This first-time initiative allows people to indulge in a virtual tour of the Expo. To date, this platform has received 250 million visits with the majority of traffic from India, China and the UAE.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2021

The 27th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival started on 17th December 2020 and continued till 30th January 2021. The shoppers were enthralled with the power-packed performances of international celebrities. The celebrations kickstarted at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai with a performance by Balqees Fathi and Mohamed Hamaki.

An impressive collection by local artisans and mouthwatering delights by food trucks filled the hunger and impressed the minds of the visitors. The DSF Drone Light Show at Bluewaters Island returned this year with more dazzle and pomp. Dubai Lights also debuted this year throughout the city. It included 7 interactive lighting installations. Not to forget the huge discounted offers from leading brands that welcomed shoppers.

Many visual delights like aerial acrobatics enthralled the visitors. Harry Potter’s magical world and Madagascar were also recreated here. To sum up, the DSF was truly an unforgettable experience for shoppers and visitors alike. If you missed out this year, you can be a part of the next DSF, which is expected to take place from 15th December 2022 to 29th January 2023.

Global Tourism Campaigns

Dubai has been engaging global audiences through international campaigns for several years. The notable ones are ‘Dubai Presents’ and ‘Stay more Pay less’. While the former promotes the city’s attractions through movie-style trailers featuring Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, the latter shows Dubai as a summer destination and draws people to the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival. These campaigns are designed to portray Dubai as the destination of choice for all kinds of travellers from across the globe.

Modes of Transportation

Dubai city is the most travel-friendly city since it provides several means of affordable transportation for tourists.

For long-distance travel, the metro is the best option for tourists. Metro trains are available every few minutes. If you are staying in Dubai for a long duration, you can buy a red NOL card. You can recharge this card with a sufficient amount of money and use it for any public transport facility.

If you want to travel along the coastal route then you can take the tram. The tram in Dubai has 11 stations and runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.

The bus network in Dubai covers 87% of the urban area and has 1,518 buses. The internal lines connect to metro stations and the intercity lines can be used to travel to another emirate.

The taxi is the cheapest mode of transportation available to tourists. However, you may have to face the peak hour traffic, sometimes. But with proper planning, this situation can be avoided to a good extent.

Various modes of Marine transport are available to tourists for a comfortable trip around Dubai. These include the water bus, the Dubai ferry, Abra and the water taxi.

Abra is the most traditional transportation facility that is part of the city’s heritage (you can opt for a traditional Abra or an air-conditioned/petrol heritage Abra).
A ferry can take you on a striking journey along the coastline and give you a view of the historical sites alongside.
The water taxi is the perfect alternative to the city’s busy traffic. Tourists can either explore the impressive skyline between Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina or the heritage between Creek and Dubai Water Canal.
The water bus provides a comfortable air-conditioned ride for tourists to enjoy the charms of the scenic Dubai Marina area.

If you visit the official website of the Government of Dubai, you can access the timetables of the various transports. You also have the option of entering the ‘From’ and ‘To’ sections under: ‘Plan your Journey’ to view the time taken by each transport service.

Awards and Recognitions – A Testimony to Dubai’s Travel-Friendliness

Julius Baer’s Global Wealth and Lifestyle report placed Dubai as no.1 in the MEASA region and no.12 globally for providing exceptional experiences and maintaining an outstanding quality of life.
The Global Talent Competitive Index placed Dubai in the 3rd position as the most desirable place to live and work.
Gallup Global Law and Order gave the first position to the UAE in terms of night safety and the second position in terms of overall safety.
At the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, Dubai was voted as the No.1 destination for ‘City Lovers’ and the No. 4 destination for ‘Food Lovers’.

Visa Initiatives

The Dubai Government has taken many initiatives to make travel a hassle-free experience for visitors. As part of this, it has introduced several easy entry procedures for travelers like

Five-Year Multi-Entry Visa – Employees of international companies can access this visa.
Golden Visa Initiative – Retired professionals, acclaimed personalities, investors and entrepreneurs can access this visa.

These steps were undertaken to encourage people to extend their visits and also multiply their visits to Dubai.

Post-Covid Travel Requirements

The Dubai government has issued certain travel requirements from 26 February 2022 for tourists to create a safe environment for travelers while they enjoy the city. All passengers arriving from any country should present one of the three documents mentioned below:

Vaccination certificate with a QR code that proves they are fully vaccinated. Vaccines should be approved by the WHO or the UAE.
Negative PCR test with a QR code given by an approved health provider. It should be issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection to the flight time.
A Valid medical certificate with a QR code given by relevant authorities that shows you have recovered from Covid-19 within a month before the date of travel.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan is an initiative to turn Dubai into a city that is the preferred destination for businesses, tourists and investors. These friendly and strategic steps are definitely yielding results as visitors continue to throng the city to witness its delights. Below you can read the Tourism Statistics for Dubai 2019

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2019 (Infographics)

Rooms for Everyone

In 2020, in spite of the pandemic, Dubai had a whopping 5.51 million visitors from around the world. In addition to a plethora of sights and delights that attracted these high number of people, Dubai is also well-equipped in terms of accommodations for dealing with this kind of inflow. The emirate has more than 740 hotels , offering a total of 127,814 rooms . These rooms are available across a whole spectrum of price ranges, catering to everyone from the luxury tours to the budget traveler. The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai is 343 AED .

International visitors for the first 6 months of 2019 (Jan-Jun) is recorded as 8.36 million .

Popular Places

Being home the tallest skyscraper in the world to the biggest shopping mall, Dubai is literally a wonder. These prominent tourist hotspots attract thousands of visitors daily. Dubai had attracted a record 16.7 million tourists in 2019 – an increase of 5.1 % compared to the previous year –

According to a list of most popular tourist sites in Dubai by Trip Advisor , the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building is the most visited site in Dubai. The list claims that the that the Burj Khalifa is more popular than Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain as well as the Dubai Miracle Garden.

Burj Al Arab – the famous hotel of celebrities, was at the top of the list of ‘Top Sites To See In Dubai’ on Lonely Planet – another travel portal. In their list, Dubai Museum and IMG Worlds of Adventure rank ahead of the Burj Khalifa.

These are the top 10 destinations according to the list:

1. burj khalifa.

Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, standing at a height of 828 meters. It is a mixed-use structure that hosts the Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Fountain, etc. besides numerous hotels and residential apartments.

2. The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the most popular free tourist attraction in the city. It is built on Burj Khalifa Lake in downtown Dubai. The fountain shoots water sprays as high as 15 meters, illuminated by over 6000 lights, color projectors, and lasers.

3. The Dubai Mall

Raised in Downtown Dubai, this is the largest shopping mall in the city, home to over 1000 stores and restaurants. The mall offers a number of tourist destinations including an ice rink, multiplex cinema, and an aquarium.

4. Dubai Miracle Garden

Open to visitors in 2011, this ambitious project began with the aim to be the world’s largest garden. The Miracle Garden is a seasonal attraction, open from October to April each year. It is located in Al Barsha South.

5. Global Village

The Global Village is a seasonal shopping extravaganza where multiple countries come together to showcase their regional culture, cuisines, etc. It is claimed to be the world’s largest tourism, shopping, leisure entertainment program. Global Village is open to visitors during the winter months in Dubai.

6. Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is the latest addition to Dubai’s already awe-inspiring line of tourist attractions. This impressive feat of engineering has two 150 meter towers connected by Sky Deck, a 93-meter bridge. Dubai Frame is located in Zabeel Park.

7. Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

This large waterpark is a part of the Atlantis Resort, Palm Jumeirah. The park hosts a private beach, river rides, and numerous waterslides. The park opens daily at 10 am and closes at sunset.

Lamer is a popular beachfront tourist destination in Jumeirah. Visitors can indulge in a wide range of leisure facilities like restaurants, shops, cafes, and more. Lamer attracts tourists for its magnificent street art and industrial-inspired zone.

9. Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is located on its own island near Jumeirah Beach. This ultra-luxury hotel offers premium suites overlooking the sea besides fine dining restaurants. The magnificent hotel has a guest list of VIPs and celebrities from across the world.

10. Ski Dubai

This is an indoor ski resort spread across a large area of 22,500 sq km. Professional instruction is available for beginners, while all equipment and clothing are included in the entry fee. For non-skiers, there is a large snow park offering wide-ranging activities for families and children

Dubai Tourism – Some Interesting Facts

IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai, is the world’s largest indoor-themed entertainment center.
The Dubai Aquarium Tank, with a 10 million liters capacity is the largest suspended aquarium in the world.
Around 85% of Dubai’s Population Is Foreign
The Emirates Mall in Dubai allows you to ski indoors!
Almost all popular food chains in the world have a branch in Dubai
Dubai has air-conditioned shelters for those waiting for public transport
Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport, is the world’s largest airport terminal
The world’s longest automated metro (75 km) is in Dubai
Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest flower garden.

World’s Busiest Airports

The Hub of Global Air Travel

Dubai’s global popularity could be attributed to its geographical location. The city is located in a conveniently central location that is equidistant from both the east and the west. This makes it an important hub for travellers from Asia travelling to Europe and North America.

In 2018, Dubai International Airport welcomed 89.1 million travellers, making it the 3rd most popular airport in the world behind Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and the Capital International Airport in Beijing. During the first half of 2019 , Dubai International Airport has already seen 41.28 million visitors . Last year, in spite of the travel restrictions, the DXB had 25.9 million visitors.

Top 10 Sources of Visitors for Dubai

Visitor Nationality

The UAE government’s new policies to boost tourism have worked like a charm, and the city has played host to tourists from all over the globe. Unsurprisingly, Indians were atop the list of nationalities visiting the city.

The most number of visitors to Dubai in the last year came from India. A total of 865,000 Indians visited the city between January to December. Saudi Arabia was second behind India with 400,000 visitors and the UK was in the third position just ahead of Russia, followed by Oman, Pakistan, the USA, and China.

International Tourist in Dubai

Urban Paradise

‘The City of Gold’ has been quickly climbing the list of the most explored tourist destinations in the world. While London and Bangkok have been shuttling in the number one position, Dubai is likely to take over the spot in the coming year according to a recent article in the Telegraph.

It is the only city from the MENA region in the top 10 of this list. Bangkok, with 21.9 million visitors, is at the top of this list; followed by London and Paris with 20.42 and 17.95 million visitors respectively.

Most Searched ‘Dubai’ Places On Google Search

What’s Popular On The Web

Besides being on top of the list of most popular tourist sites in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa also dominates the internet. The famous tower accounts for nearly 1 million Google searches every month, nearly 4 times higher than Burj Al Arab at 2nd spot with 246,000 searches. The Dubai Mall is the 3rd most Googled destination in Dubai, while Global Village is at the fourth spot with 135,000 monthly searches. The newly opened Dubai Frame has been extremely popular on the internet with 74,000 searches every month.

Almost all the prominent hotels and resorts from the world over have opened up a branch in the city in recent years. The UAE government is offering visa-on-arrival for tourists from more and more countries as they expand capacity for tourism in the city.

The Expo 2020 coming up in October and running till March 2022, would be a catalyst for tourism growth. The Expo will further enhance the national economy besides boosting retail and real estate activity as the Covid-19 immunization program progresses.

2020 will be a crucial year for the tourism sector in Dubai. Several huge projects started during this administration are expected to be completed including the Museum of the Future, Jewel of the Creek, Dubai Water Canal Project and several more. The city will also host its first World Expo in 2020. It is definitely exciting times ahead for the Dubai Tourism Sector.

Looking for strategies to make the most of the tourism boom in Dubai? Think digital, think social, think GMI. Reach out to us and let us chart out the right digital marketing strategy for you.

Find out our Dubai Tourism Statistics Infographics in 2018.

Disclaimer: GMI acknowledges that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented on this infographic. The information represented is based on information researched from various sources on the internet. We are not liable for any errors, financial loss, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of, or reliance on, the information herein.

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Dubai Faces Festering Tourism Challenges Beyond Pandemic

Reem Abdellatif, Skift

March 5th, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST

Dubai has spent significant capital billing itself up as a progressive destination that offers uninterrupted tourism and entertainment, but now reality may have caught up to the emirate.

Reem Abdellatif

The shimmering coastline of Dubai’s tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah island is known for its posh apartments, glitzy hotels, and upscale restaurants—but the lights in this exclusive enclave, like much of the city, have started to dim.

That’s because Dubai’s economy, built on the hopes of globalization, was on thin ice long before the pandemic.

In 2018 and 2019, the image-conscience emirate had reportedly kept the lights on in some emptied skyscrapers and hotels to maintain its reputation as an “instagramable” destination.

“Through the medium-term, it could very well be touch-and-go for Dubai,” said Varsha Koduvayur, senior research analyst covering the Gulf states for Washington D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “The Covid shock will affect the leadership’s thinking and spur Dubai’s leaders to look towards building up other sectors that might (to the extent possible) be more pandemic-proof.”

Although Dubai seemed to have handled the chaos of Covid-19 well during the early months of the crisis, that quickly changed around New Year’s when tourists and locals hit the pubs and parties without face-masks or social distancing measures.

The city had welcomed international visitors too soon, with about 300,000 people traveling between the UAE and the U.K. in November and December alone. That’s when Dubai was accused by the global community of being a “super-spreader” of the virus abroad.

On February 1, the city took action to close all bars and pubs for the entire month and limit other activities amid rising coronavirus cases and an ongoing crash in oil prices.

The CEO of Dubai’s Tourism Authority did not respond to Skift’s request for comment in time for publishing.

“Dubai is in a different situation than that of Abu Dhabi, as Abu Dhabi can still rely on oil and gas revenues; which have supported Dubai and helped the emirate to bounce back after the financial crisis of 2008,” said Dean Mikkelsen, director of UAE-based Hannibal Global Insight, a political risk consultancy.

Before coronavirus brought global travel to a standstill, Dubai International Airport was one of the world’s busiest. This year, officials expect a difficult chapter ahead after passenger numbers slid 70 percent in 2020.

Dubai, home to long-haul carrier Emirates , now has its hopes pinned on vaccination rollouts.

“The UAE and Emirates are supporting the IATA version that indicates whether an individual has been vaccinated or not and is Covid-negative,” Mikkelsen told Skift.

But these measures will take time to implement, and would only allow some tourism from Europe, the U.K., or other developed nations.

This excludes travelers from regions that haven’t adopted digital health passports , such as Southeast Asia, Africa, or other parts of the Middle East — places that the majority of Dubai’s service sector employees call home.

“The vaccine has not been distributed equally across the world and many smaller or less wealthy nations have been left behind. This raises questions about much of the service-based market in Dubai, as many of the employees come from South Asian countries and may not be vaccinated,” said Mikkelsen.

Desperate times call for desperate measures

The UAE now faces a defining moment in history. Its leaders will be forced to make tough decisions amid intensifying economic rivalries in the Middle East, as well as growing pressure from a more socially conscious global community.

Read Skift’s take: 5 Middle East Travel Innovations Born Out of Pandemic and Fierce Rivalries

In 2020, Dubai’s population fell 8.4 percent — the steepest decline in the Gulf region — as many expatriate workers exited the country due to the pandemic’s negative impact on key employment sectors of tourism, aviation, hospitality, and retail.

Recognizing the need for reforms, the UAE announced a new citizenship scheme last month. The UAE passport, which is valuable when it comes to mobility, will be offered to select investors and professionals including “doctors, inventors, specialists, intellectuals, artists and their families.”

Foreigners can only be invited to apply by UAE royals or government officials.

“The UAE’s decision to enact some recent societal reforms, aimed at improving its attractiveness as an expat and business hub amidst growing competition from Riyadh for the same businesses, is also a good move … but it is still too restrictive,” Koduvayur told Skift.

“To keep its competitive edge, the UAE should seek to tap into its huge and talented expat pool and incentivize ways for these groups to create a more permanent presence in the UAE,” she added.

The UAE also signed the Abraham Accords with Israel in September, allowing for full normalization for the first time between the two nations. The move was seen as strategic since Israel is a competitor for the UAE in many ways — particularly when it comes to tourism, travel, and research and development (R&D).

Now Israel has become the world’s most unlikely country keeping tourism going in Dubai, with up to 50,000 Israelis visiting the emirate since last November.

Trouble on the home front

Long before the coronavirus pandemic, there was trouble in paradise.

Dubai’s economic growth had been steadily slowing since 2017, and job cuts were hitting the emirate’s expat workers — who make up about 90 percent of the 3.3 million population.

Hotel occupancy rates in the emirate were also shrinking, with revenues down by 15 percent in the first 10 months of 2019.

The exodus of high-paid senior expats and blue-collar workers had started chiseling away at spending in the consumer-driven economy. By then, the emirate had already invested about $7 billion towards construction costs for Expo 2020. The now postponed event was expected to bring in about 25 million visitors.

One of the Middle East’s most powerful leaders, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, had pledged many expo surprises, but even he couldn’t have predicted the economic onslaught that would bring his city to a standstill — nor did he plan for it.

With a strong PR machine under their command, Dubai’s rulers managed to keep much of that bad news under wraps, until the pandemic forced these issues to the surface.

The emirate also faces growing criticism amid reports of rights abuses, including failing to meet minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and limitations that still keep many women living below a glass ceiling.

Princess Latifa Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed’s daughter, recently spoke against her father – who she said is holding her hostage in a Dubai villa. She has also accused him of forcibly kidnapping and disappearing her sister, Princess Shamsa.

“This will be Dubai’s biggest challenge,” Koduvayur told Skift. “The revelations about Princess Latifa and the growing public awareness over women’s abuses in the emirate will be hard to shake off.”

“Unless the emirate responds and adapts to these criticisms in positive ways — which, frankly, we have not yet seen — through the medium-term, Dubai’s undisputed position as the region’s tourism and business hub could very well be in jeopardy.”

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Tags: coronavirus , coronavirus recovery , dubai , emirates , middle east , united arab emirates

Photo credit: The view of Palm Jumeirah island from Jumeirah Beach. Arvin Mantilla / Getty

DET: The driving force behind Dubai’s tourism success

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai, the world’s leading commercial center, investment hub, and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism ( DET ) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for the global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators.

DET is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development, and marketing of the emirate’s economic and tourism sectors. With Dubai being crowned the top global destination for two consecutive years in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023, it aligns with the goals of the newly launched Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities.

In a recent interview with Economy Middle East, H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, discussed the numerous strategies that have contributed to Dubai’s achievements in this vital sector.

How do you ensure that Dubai stays competitive in the global tourism market, and what are some of the key strategies you have implemented to achieve this?

In 2022, Dubai witnessed a remarkable resurgence in tourism, with the city welcoming 14.36 million international overnight visitors. This figure surpassed both global and regional benchmarks for recovery, as evidenced by data published by the U.N. World Tourism Organisation. The strong growth in international visitors can be attributed to the strategic and creative initiatives implemented under the guidance of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. These initiatives aim to ensure that Dubai’s tourism sector remains on track to become the world’s most visited and revisited destination.

Dubai’s ability to provide a diverse range of offerings that cater to travelers of varying budgets and preferences has made it a top destination, earning it the top spot in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2022 and 2023. This accolade marks only the second time in history that a city has won this prestigious award for two consecutive years.

As we work toward accelerating momentum across our tourism sector in 2023 and beyond, our strategy to increase the competitiveness and global appeal of the destination will be aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities.

We will continue to focus on a diversified approach to markets; continuous international outreach to global audiences through celebrity and digital-first state-of-the-art campaigns, keeping the city top-of-mind among global travelers and showcasing the city’s multi-faceted tourism offering; highlighting Dubai’s position as an international MICE and events hub, as well as further strengthening cooperation with our stakeholders and partners.

The success of our strategies will be largely built around the pillars of sustainability, gastronomy, trade, and technology.

With 2023 declared as the UAE’s “Year of Sustainability,” this is indeed a landmark year for us, particularly as Dubai is preparing to host COP28, the U.N. Climate Change Conference. We will look at successfully balancing sustainability and destination strategies to incorporate sustainable practices into all aspects of the visitor experience while also offering unique and compelling experiences to make Dubai the best city in the world to visit, live in, and work.

Our Gastronomy Always on Campaign to position Dubai as a global hub for food tourism will be regularly enhanced, as we continue to drive growth across the hospitality and F&B sector based on the four pillars of diversity, value for money, authenticity, and experiential. This builds on the launch of the inaugural edition of Michelin Guide Dubai. A total of 69 restaurants in the city were included in the guide, with two restaurants awarded two Michelin Stars and nine restaurants awarded one Michelin Star, while 14 others received a Bib Gourmand.

Read: Dubai Metro celebrates 2 billion riders since inauguration

Dubai’s investment in infrastructure and support systems for entrepreneurs has made it a preferred destination for start-ups, global talent, and entrepreneurs. The Intelak Hub, Dubai’s aviation and tourism-focused start-up platform, is just one example of our strategic investment in and commitment to revitalizing entrepreneurship in the city.

We are dedicated to building a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages growth and innovation. Dubai has also undergone a significant transformation in its legal framework, reflecting our commitment to building a competitive and productive society that is on par with other global economic hubs.

Dubai is committed to always offering something new and unique for the discerning international traveler. These developments will be largely through the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which includes the expansion of tourism attractions by over 100 percent, enabling new areas for investment, as we increase the diversity of attractions and experiences for residents and visitors.

We will also offer alternative pathways to growth facilitated by a series of reforms and regulatory enablers that have eased barriers to entry and paved the way for long-term affiliation with the city through initiatives like the Golden Visa, five-year Multi-Entry Visa, and Virtual Working and Retire in Dubai programs. These initiatives have also further enhanced Dubai’s pro-business environment to attract multinationals, family offices, global talent, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.

We will continue to promote Dubai to the world across all segments including ecotourism, food tourism, wellness tourism, cruise tourism, sports tourism as well as a hub for destination weddings and more. We will look beyond traditional tourism to create alternative routes to attract visitors. Ultimately, our goal is to strengthen our existing and emerging markets, as well as identify new growth opportunities at home and overseas, while creating unique value and always providing the best guest experience.

Can you share with us some of the major challenges and opportunities currently facing the tourism industry in Dubai?

Challenges are nothing new to Dubai and as a city we have tackled them head-on and even transformed them into opportunities. The pandemic was undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge but thanks to our decisive leadership and their guidance combined with Dubai’s resilience and ability to be agile and adapt to changes, we were able to swiftly and successfully navigate our way out and put the industry back on track. We are now harnessing the benefits of the strategic measures that were taken during tough times, having gained first-mover advantage on many fronts. One of the most significant strategies at the time was revitalizing the domestic tourism market, creating numerous growth opportunities for the hospitality sector.

We have recognized that the way forward is to open up new avenues for growth beyond traditional tourism, generating more opportunities that could further diversify our offering and reinforce Dubai’s position as the first-choice destination for global travelers. As we look forward to a brighter tomorrow, sustainability is increasingly becoming both an opportunity and a key driver for growth as more and more travelers are seeking out sustainable destinations. Sustainability is embedded at the heart of the city’s development strategy, and with the stepping up of activities under our Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative, we are ready to cater to global travelers who are driven by the desire to seek authentic local experiences that promote sustainable practices.

DET has recently announced the relaunch of the Carbon Calculator tool that measures the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. What more can you tell us about this?

Since January 2017, the Carbon Calculator has been measuring the carbon footprint of hotels across Dubai in real-time, as a part of our Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative, which supports the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy.

The Carbon Calculator helps hotel establishments identify and manage their energy consumption. On a monthly basis, hotels are mandated to submit their consumption of nine carbon emission sources, including: electricity, water, district cooling, liquefied petroleum gas, landfill waste, recycled waste, petrol, diesel, and refrigerants. This information is aggregated and analyzed to provide valuable industry insights on the sector’s collective carbon footprint.

The data provided helps hotels and resorts implement initiatives to efficiently manage their carbon footprint in line with the 19 Sustainability Requirements these establishments are mandated to abide by, establishing a baseline across hotels in Dubai and unifying hotels’ environmental practices. Our pioneering Dubai Can initiative, which promotes the use of reusable bottles and encourages residents and visitors to refill, has successfully reduced the use of an equivalent of more than 7 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles within a year since its launch in February 2022.

Sustainable tourism practices are critical to the success of the tourism industry as they aim to minimize any adverse impact on the environment to ensure that the destination remains attractive to visitors. Sustainable tourism practices also promote social responsibility, ensuring that tourism benefits local communities and respects their culture and way of life, as well as encouraging more people to visit and re-visit the destination.

How does DET collaborate with other government entities and private sector partners to promote tourism in Dubai?

The extraordinary success that Dubai’s tourism sector continues to enjoy is a testament to the unique spirit of collaboration between the government and private sectors that permeates throughout our industry, allowing us to create a unified approach to showcasing Dubai as a must-visit destination.

This harmonious alignment between our Department, stakeholders, and partners has enabled us to leverage our collective strengths, resources, and expertise to work toward a common goal of creating an exceptional tourism experience for all. This has ensured that all are aligned with Dubai’s global campaigns and initiatives and are well-placed and prepared to promote the city effectively in international markets. The future of tourism lies in our ability to adapt to evolving market trends and changing consumer preferences. That is why we are committed to continuously liaising with our stakeholders and over 3,000 global partners to keep pace with new developments and provide regular destination updates to ensure Dubai remains top-of-mind among global travelers.

How important are digital marketing and technology in the tourism industry, and what role does DET play in leveraging these tools to promote Dubai as a destination?

Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a global city at the forefront of innovation and technology, we have constantly rolled out initiatives to promote the destination across digital platforms.

Intelak Hub is a testament to our focus on technology and innovation to create a transformative experience across the tourism ecosystem. It was established as part of an integrated strategy to position Dubai as the most sought-after destination for innovators, talents, entrepreneurs, and investors. Guided by its founders – the Emirates Group, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Accenture, and Microsoft – Intelak Hub is committed to supporting a cohort of innovative start-ups with mentorship and opportunities to enable them to grow and scale their business.

Dubai has a world-class physical and digital infrastructure, offering entrepreneurs and SMEs a platform for ease of setup and scale, as well as allowing companies in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors to provide state-of-the-art systems and services across tourism touchpoints in the city.

Digital marketing has become increasingly important in the travel cycle as consumers rely heavily on online research and booking platforms. Recognizing this strategic shift, Dubai has placed significant emphasis on its mobile-first, digital-first agenda, customizing our visitor experience for travelers from each source market based on the audience mix and segment preferences. One of the strategies employed by Dubai is the use of innovative global campaigns like Dubai Presents to highlight the city’s multifaceted appeal. The Dubai Presents campaign comprises a series of short video films featuring Hollywood stars set against some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and hidden locations.

Dubai has pioneered innovative, data-driven digital marketing communications and accelerated the use of these platforms and remote campaigns during the pandemic to position itself as a safe destination for global travelers and sustain its international appeal, presenting the city as the perfect holiday getaway for tourists when it is safe for them to travel. Dubai has also partnered with global technology and internet leaders and digital platforms like Microsoft, Google, and Snapchat to raise destination awareness in a creative way.

To further raise awareness of the destination, Dubai embraces data, analytics, and disruptive innovation to stay abreast of consumers’ rapidly evolving needs. The city utilizes a range of social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, to reach its target audiences. At the core of its internet strategy is the region’s most advanced destination website, Visit Dubai, a content-rich ecosystem that showcases the city’s offerings and serves as a valuable resource for visitors.

Fort more on Dubai, click here .

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Travel and tourism sector to contribute $49bn to UAE’s economy this year, WTTC says

The industry is expected to create 7,000 new jobs in emirates.

Kite surfers in action at the Kite and Surf beach in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute Dh180.6 billion ($49.18 billion) to the UAE’s economy this year, representing nearly 10 per cent of the total, says the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The estimate for 2023 is only 1.6 per cent lower than the 2019 high of Dh183.4 billion, the global tourism body said in itslatest Economic Impact report on Wednesday.

WTTC expects the sector to cross the pre-pandemic employment levels , reaching more than 758,000 jobs, including nearly 7,000 new positions, this year.

“The sector is recovering at a rapid pace, proving the UAE continues to grow in popularity amongst international travellers,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive.

“The UAE is home to one of the world’s busiest and most successful airports, Dubai International , which acts as a gateway to the Middle East.”

Last year, the travel and tourism sector ’s contribution to the UAE’s gross domestic product grew by more than 60 per cent to reach nearly Dh167 billion, representing 9 per cent of the country’s economy, WTTC said.

The sector created more than 89,000 jobs last year, bringing the total to about 751,000 on a countrywide level.

“2022 saw the return of international travellers to the UAE, with India, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UK leading as source markets for international arrivals,” the report said.

Last year, international visitors contributed Dh117.6 billion to the Emirates' economy, marking a 65.3 per cent year-on-year growth, but still down 19 per cent from 2019 levels.

Meanwhile, domestic spend surged by nearly 36 per cent to reach Dh46.9 billion, up 10.6 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.

“The future for the sector looks positive. By the end of this year, the sector’s contribution will level that of 2019, and over the next decade, growth will outstrip the national GDP and create more than 114,000 new jobs, representing one in nine jobs,” said Ms Simpson.

Dubai International Airport remained the world's busiest international hub for passengers last year for the ninth year in a row, as long-haul travel demand surged, rankings by the Airports Council International showed in April.

The tourism sector, an important pillar of Dubai’s economy, has strongly rebounded from the coronavirus-induced slowdown.

The emirate recorded 14.36 million international visitors in 2022, inching closer to the 16.73 million tourists welcomed in 2019, according to data from the Department of Economy and Tourism.

It aims to exceed the pre-pandemic annual number of international visitors this year, after the emirate recorded a 17 per cent increase in the tourist numbers in the first quarter of 2023, Issam Kazim, chief executive of the Dubai Department for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, told The National earlier this month.

“Our report highlighted the appeal tourist destinations across the country, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, continue to hold for international travellers. These cities have shown an incredible resilience and strong leadership,” said Ms Simpson.

The WTTC expects the sector to grow its GDP contribution to Dh235.5 billion by 2033, representing 10.2 per cent of the country’s economy.

Over the next decade, the travel and tourism industry is projected to give employment to more than 872,000 people in the UAE, accounting for about 12 per cent of the total workforce, the WTTC said.

The UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy, is estimated to have grown by 7.6 per cent last year , marking its highest expansion in 11 years, after GDP rose by 3.9 per cent in 2021, according to the UAE Central Bank.

It is expected to grow by 3.9 per cent this year and accelerate further to 4.3 per cent in 2024.

Meanwhile in the Middle East, the WTTC expects travel and tourism sector's GDP contribution to exceed Dh1.5 trillion, nearing the 2019 high.

The sector will recover almost all of the jobs lost during the pandemic by the end of 2023, the report said.

In the Mena region, real GDP grew by 5.3 per cent in 2022, reflecting strong domestic demand and a rebound in oil production, according to the International Monetary Fund. However, growth is expected to decelerate this year to 3.1 per cent before picking up slightly to 3.4 per cent next year.

Dubai's post-pandemic boom has made it one of the most visited places in the world today. Further to that, the city has seen tens of thousands of new residents arrive to settle down. Reuters

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Dubai Tourism Industry—Where Does The Emirate Go From Here?

Dubai is uniquely placed on the world map that makes it a favored destination for millions of tourists, both on business and leisure.

It is no longer considered just the glitzy capital of the Middle East. With a well thought-out tourism strategy that now encompasses all spheres and innovations, high-end shopping is not the only mainstay of this sector. Due to the Government’s efforts, UAE was ranked 24th in the 2015 World Economic Forum report. Tourism is now a core sector contributing to Dubai’s economy. Dubai accounts for 66% of the tourism industry’s contribution to the GDP of UAE. This industry represents 20% of Dubai’s GDP and accounts for approximately 6% of total employment.

To take advantage of tourist inflows, a second international airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, is under construction and could possibly be the world’s largest airport handling 160 million passengers by 2025.

Established in 1997, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) works with respective stakeholders and entities to create the vision, execute, and supervise development plans for marketing and promotion of the tourism industry.

Dubai’s tourism focuses on hotels, restaurants, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), travel services, and destination and thematic tourism.

Dubai expects to have 20 million tourists by 2020 and for the EXPO 2020 alone it expects to have 25 million visitors, which is expected to increase demand for hotel rooms in Dubai. Both in terms of average daily rate and occupancy, Dubai remains the leading destination in the Middle East.

An interesting fact is that Dubai has a high concentration of hotel room supply in the luxury, upscale, and upper upscale hotel room segments (41%), while only 12% catered to the midscale and upper midscale segments; this has resulted in an undersupply of midscale rooms. Due to this, there has been more focus on the midscale hotel segment with approximately 25% of rooms under construction in Dubai falling under the midscale segment.

Both in terms of average daily rate and occupancy, Dubai remains the leading destination in the Middle East. Some super luxury hotels include the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Desert Palm Dubai, and the Meydan Hotel.

Dubai’s hospitality real-estate market is also faced with the challenge to ensure that there is no oversupply of hotel rooms post the EXPO. The Dubai government will also have to ensure that there is continuous inflow of visitors to the city to engage its rooms.

Dubai’s business-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure has attracted several international fast food chains, coffee parlors and fine dining restaurants. There are approximately 13,000 restaurants in the Emirate that offer a wide range of cuisines due to the diverse expatriate population.

There are constant innovations that keep the tourism sector on its double digit growth path, some of them being collaborations and unique concepts.

Dubai leads its Middle Eastern peers not only in the hospitality segment but also in meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE). It is one of the world’s top 20 business destinations. Generating a total of USD 653 million per year, experts see the Emirates’ MICE industry experiencing a growth rate of 7 percent yearly by 2020. By the time the World Expo takes place, the value of the MICE industry in Dubai is expected to surpass USD 1.39 billion. Some key attractions for Dubai tourism include the Burj Al Arab (opened 1999), Burj Khalifa (opened 2010), Atlantis Hotel (opened 2008), and Ski Dubai (opened 2005), Palm Jumeirah, and Opera House; all these attractions make Dubai a must-visit destination for tourists.

As part of its thematic tourism services, Dubai offers visitors Desert tourism, Cruise tourism, Green tourism, Halal tourism, and Medical tourism. Dubai Health Authority is planning to build 22 hospitals as part of plans to attract 500,000 medical tourists a year and boost its economy by up to AED 2.6 billion by 2020. Some trends that Frost & Sullivan see which will impact the tourism sector of the Emirate: Halal tourism, middle-class tourism, medical tourism, smart and integrated tourism through IoT and robots.

The Dubai Government’s initiatives are expected to give a big boost to tourism while keeping in mind the sustainability of the entire process.

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Dubai's tourism sector: A testament to resilience and innovation

Dubai’s tourism sector: a testament to resilience and innovation.

Dubai stood out as a brilliant example of perseverance and ingenuity in the face of a global epidemic that brought the tourism sector to a standstill. The emirate has effectively restored its tourism in the last two years, drawing millions of worldwide tourists. It is worth noting that Dubai was one of the first places to reopen its doors to visitors following the global lockdowns. How did the city manage it?

Dubai’s tourist business has been built on a solid foundation and is capable of remarkable comebacks like this thanks to modern technology infrastructure, world-class attractions, and imaginative leadership. The city’s fast expansion continues, promising a bright future for the emirate.

Record-breaking visitor numbers

The phenomenal revival of Dubai is evident in record-breaking tourist numbers. The city received a remarkable total of 3.10 million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2023 alone, showing a healthy rebound. The biggest number of tourists from India, with over 401,000 guests pouring into Dubai during this period, is a significant achievement. The month of January 2023 saw a whopping 1.47 million visitors, cementing Dubai’s position as a major worldwide tourist destination.

Impressive growth trajectory

Dubai’s tourist sector is seeing phenomenal growth. The emirate had a remarkable rise of 7.08 million tourists in 2022, representing a 97% increase over the previous year. This exponential rise propelled Dubai’s visitor arrivals to 14.36 million in 2022, bringing the city closer to pre-pandemic levels of 16.73 million in 2019. This exceptional achievement not only exceeded global and regional recovery levels but also earned Dubai’s place as the world’s top destination for the second year in a row, according to the coveted Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.

A plethora of accommodation options

Dubai has an incredible choice of lodging options to accommodate the expanding number of guests. The city had 804 hotels with a total of 146,496 rooms as of the end of 2022. The average daily price for a hotel room in Dubai was AED 536, ensuring that tourists have a variety of options to suit their interests and budgets.

A promising future

Dubai’s success in rebuilding its tourist sector opens up new opportunities for growth and development. The capacity of the emirate to recover and draw millions of tourists demonstrates its steadfast commitment to offering excellent experiences and preserving its position as a top global destination. The tourist industry’s sustained rise will contribute to Dubai’s and the UAE’s economic success by supporting job creation, attracting investments, and fueling overall growth.

In a nutshell, Dubai’s outstanding tourist sector rebound during the last two years demonstrates the emirate’s endurance, inventiveness, and dedication to quality. Dubai has clearly established itself as a preferred destination for tourists, with record-breaking visitor numbers, various source markets, and a plethora of world-class attractions.

As the emirate continues to excel in the global tourism landscape, it paves the way for further growth and economic development. With visionary leadership and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Dubai’s tourism sector promises a bright and prosperous future for the emirate and the entire UAE.

Also read: Dubai’s lifestyle and tourism: What makes the emirate a tourist and resident haven

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Dubai receives 3.67 million overnight visitors in Jan-Feb

Dubai recorded 1.77 million international visitors in January, and 1.9 million in February, according to DET figures

Dubai continues to solidify its position as a global tourism hub, with the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) revealing an impressive surge in overnight visitors during the first two months of the year.

According to DET ‘s Tourism Performance Report for January-February 2024, Dubai welcomed 3.67 million overnight visitors, marking an impressive increase of over 18 pe rcent compared to the same period last year.

The report for January recorded 1.77 million visitors, with February witnessing 1.9 million arrivals.

Among the origins of visitors, Europe emerged as the leading source market during the period, with 773,000 tourists, constituting 21 per cent of the total.

South Asia followed closely behind, contributing 604,000 visitors, comprising 17 per cent of the overall arrivals. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries ranked third with 549,000 visitors, representing 15 per cent of the total.

Visitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe totaled 530,000, while those from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region reached 448,000.

North and Southeast Asia contributed 340,000 visitors, with 240,000 arrivals from the Americas, 138,000 from Africa, and 53,000 from Australia.

Growth in hotel room availability, occupancy rates in Dubai

The report also highlights a notable increase in the number of available hotel rooms, with 151,269 rooms across 826 establishments in the first two months, compared to 148,450 rooms in the same period of 2023.

Despite this expansion, the average occupancy rate reached an impressive 87 per cent, reflecting a 3 per cent year-on-year growth.

Occupied room nights surged to 7.78 million during this period, up from 7.28 million in the corresponding period last year.

Finally, the average length of stay remained steady at 3.8 nights.

Read: Dubai welcomed 17 million international visitors in 2023

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How the UAE has become one of the world’s fastest-growing medical tourism destinations

T he UAE is already among the world’s most popular destinations for medical tourism, but there is still plenty of room for growth, say local experts.

Medical tourism , when people travel from their country of residence to receive healthcare, is a global market worth $31.91 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $52.87 billion in 2027, according to GlobalData.

Countries such as Mexico , Costa Rica, Malaysia , Thailand , Turkey and India are among the top destinations for medical tourism , but the UAE is one of the fastest growing.

About $5.4 billion was spent by wellness tourists coming to the UAE in 2022, up from $2.1 billion in 2020, according to the Global Wellness Economy Monitor.

This is not only individuals coming for their own medical treatment, but also companies booking on behalf of their employees, said Stan Klyuy, chief commercial officer at corporate travel platform Tumodo.

“Over the past year, the number of bookings related to medical tourism has doubled,” Mr Klyuy told The National .

“Some companies have begun to pay more attention to the health of their employees, sending them abroad for treatment at corporate expense.”

The UAE’s focus on health care

The government has put a spotlight on health care in recent years, with the launch of several initiatives, including the Emirates Health Services Innovation Strategy 2023-2026 and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 .

The UAE also has the fastest growth rate for health spending in the GCC , expected to reach $30.7 billion by 2027, according to a survey by Alpen Capital.

In 2018, the Abu Dhabi Medical Tourism e-portal launched as a digital platform providing visitors with a list of dozens of health care facilities in a national medical tourism network, as well as almost 300 treatment packages from more than 170 doctors across the emirate.

In January, Dubai Healthcare City also started taking applications for its newly introduced medical visa, allowing treatment centres to apply for a visa of three to six months on behalf of their patients.

Dubai, in particular, has become a hub for patients seeking medical treatment from across the region, including countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the GCC, according to Dubai Healthcare City.

Specialisms bringing travellers to Dubai include dermatology, dentistry, gynaecology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and fertility treatments.

Dubai Health Authority reported it received 674,000 medical tourists who spent Dh992 million ($270 million) in 2022, increasing from Dh262 million the previous year.

Reasons cited for this growth are the city’s strategic location, safety levels, state-of-the-art infrastructure and high-quality amenities, as well as a recent influx of highly-skilled medical professionals.

Abu Dhabi is also a popular choice. Last year, Abu Dhabi Investment Office reported that more than 15,000 medical tourists travel to the capital annually.

Jorge A Guzman, chief executive of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – which was recently named among the world's top hospitals , told Arabian Gulf Business Insight the number of medical tourists it received rose 20 per cent last year.

Merging health care with hospitality

When Dr Raza Siddiqui arrived in the UAE from India 25 years ago, the global medical tourism industry was only just getting started.

He had come here with Apollo Hospitals to attract healthcare travellers from the Emirates back to India, but he ended up staying to help bring visitors here instead.

“Medical tourism has got two components: health care and hospitality,” Dr Siddiqui, who is now chief executive of Arab Healthcare Group, told The National .

“Dubai and the UAE was perceived at that time as a preferred destination for hospitality.”

Seeing huge potential in the UAE, Dr Siddiqui helped set up RAK Hospital in 2007, using the same designers as America’s Mayo Clinic, with an ambition to eventually achieve the same level of international recognition.

The hospital in Ras Al Khaimah has since become a mainstay of the UAE’s medical tourism industry and is set to triple its capacity by the end of this year to keep up with demand.

There is still plenty of room for growth across the country, said Dr Siddiqui. “By our calculations, about 6,000 to 7,000 medical tourists go through Dubai Airports every day to go to other destinations.

“They are going to India, Thailand, Singapore , Germany and the UK . They could be coming here.”

One patient is equal to 10 leisure tourists in terms of money spent and the country’s reputational boost, he added. “That one patient also is not coming alone, they are coming with at least one relative who is going to stay at a hotel.

“If you are doing 1,000 [hospital] beds, you are generating revenue equal to 10,000 hotel [rooms]. That is one of the best non-oil economy alternatives for the country.

“And the image it gives you is unimaginable, because if you go to a country for health care, then [that country is] in the bracket of the most advanced countries in the world.”

Specialist health care and utilising the Metaverse

Dr Shanila Laiju, group chief executive of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, says it is a combination of quality infrastructure, skilled medical professionals, affordable treatment options, advanced procedures and short waiting times that draws tourists to the Emirates.

The country also offers “a harmonious blend of health care and tourism”, she said.

The group has more than 20 facilities across Dubai and Sharjah, and has witnessed huge growth in demand specifically from patients with rare and complex diseases.

For example, Medcare Women and Children Hospital has become known for its gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic degenerative neuromuscular disease.

The facility has administered 100 gene therapy infusions to children with the disorder, 90 per cent of whom travelled from Turkey, but also from Romania, Russia, Belarus, Nepal and Iran.

One of the ways the group is catering for this growing medical tourism market is by opening a facility, Medcare Royal Hospital, near Dubai International Airport later this year.

It also offers telehealth services, which include instant appointments with doctors and online hospital viewings.

“Patients can view the hospital facilities live in the metaverse before making an informed decision to have their surgical procedures done at Medcare,” said Dr Laiju.

Primed for future growth

As the global population continues to grow and advances in healthcare allow people to live longer, the medical tourism industry is set only to expand.

“The GCC’s high prevalence rates of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes indicate that many future medical and wellness tourists are likely to come from neighbouring nations,” said Dr Laiju.

“To address this need, we must also work on creating healthcare experiences that prioritise well-being above treatment.”

Critical shortages in the region’s healthcare industry must also be addressed, she added, including raising awareness of preventive care.

“The improvements to healthcare services will help residents of the community while also preparing the region for future growth.”

A growing global population and medical advances enabling longer lives mean the medical tourism industry is set to expand. Getty Images

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Cricket tourism and hospitality takes off in the US

Cricketbuster, led by Vinny and Rashmi Kumar, secures ICC approval as the official OTA for cricket events. They offer all-inclusive travel packages, including match tickets and intercity transfers, ensuring a seamless cricket-watching experience for fans from various countries. Beginning with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India last year, Cricketbuster is the official OTA (online travel agency) for the ICC.

Updated On Apr 7, 2024 at 11:22 PM IST

<p>Bengaluru: Spectators during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Netherlands, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan)</p>

Published On Apr 7, 2024 at 11:21 PM IST

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Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched ...
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Become a licensed tour guide in Dubai by completing our online programme. Apply for an event permit. For approvals of entertainment, sports, charity, business or religious events. See all services. Learn about the Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and its programmes that support economic, business and tourism growth within the emirate.