Dubai Sets New Tourism Record with 9.31 Million Visitors in 2024

Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors in the first six months of 2024, a 9 percent increase compared to the 8.55 million tourist arrivals in 2023. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) published this data.

Since achieving a milestone in 2023 with 17.15 million international overnight visitors, Dubai has continued its strong momentum in tourism—the growth in the first half of 2024 positions the city for a potentially record-breaking performance this year. Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and driven by DET’s efforts in collaboration with stakeholders, the rise in international visitation aligns with the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, stated: “The strong tourism growth achieved by Dubai in the first half of 2024 is testament to the city’s ability to foster productive public-private partnerships and build extensive global networks of collaboration. Every year, Dubai continues to solidify its status as a frontrunner in the global tourism landscape and gain popularity as an international destination. We remain committed to maintaining this successful trajectory and enhancing the tourism sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP. By further developing our infrastructure and providing exceptional services for visitors, we aim to set new benchmarks and records in 2024.”

Key Source Markets for Dubai’s Visitor Arrivals in H1 2024

In the first half of 2024, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) worked closely with over 3,000 global partners across 80 markets and domestic stakeholders to drive growth in key markets. Their efforts resulted in impressive visitor numbers, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as a top-tier travel destination for both traditional and emerging markets.

During the January to June 2024 period, the GCC and MENA regions accounted for 26 percent of overall visitors, with 1.27 million (14 percent) and 1.09 million (12 percent) arrivals, respectively. Western Europe contributed 20 percent of visitors, totalling 1.89 million. South Asia emerged as another major source market with 1.62 million visitors (17 percent), while the CIS and Eastern Europe region also drove 1.37 million (15 percent) arrivals. Notably, North-East and South-East Asia saw their share of visitors grow to 10 percent (896,000) by the end of H1 2024. Other regions, including the Americas (617,000 / 7 percent), Africa (404,000 / 4 percent), and Australasia (154,000 / 2 percent), also experienced an uptick in visitation to Dubai.

Expanding Hotel Inventory to Meet Rising Demand

Dubai’s hotel sector saw strong performance in the first six months of 2024, with an average hotel occupancy of 78.7 percent, a 3 percent increase in occupied room nights, a 4 percent rise in the average daily rate (ADR) and a 6 percent increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) compared to the same period in 2023. The city’s overall hotel inventory expanded, reaching 150,879 available rooms and 823 hotel establishments by the end of June 2024, up from 148,689 rooms and 810 establishments in June 2023.

Diversifying Tourism Offerings Through Collaboration and Innovation

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) continues collaborating with stakeholders and partners to create new pathways for growth beyond traditional tourism. The city also focused on attracting global talent and fostering innovation through global marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships. Notable programs and partnerships include the ‘Where will Dubai take you now?’ promotion directed by Michael Gracey and the ‘Drop by Dubai’ campaign. New attractions like Real Madrid World at Dubai Parks and Resorts have further enhanced Dubai's tourism offerings. These initiatives demonstrate Dubai’s commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings, fostering innovation, and positioning the city as a global hub of creativity and technological advancement.

Dubai’s Year-Round Calendar of Events

Dubai hosts many events throughout the year, attracting international tourists and solidifying its status as a global entertainment hub. Organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), some of the city's major annual events take place in the first half of the year, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival, Chinese New Year, Ramadan in Dubai, Eid in Dubai, the Great Online Sale, and Dubai Food Festival. The ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises is a significant shopping and entertainment event that makes the city lively and vibrant during the summer. The remainder of 2024 will feature events like Dubai Fashion Season Fall/Winter, Dubai Fitness Challenge, and UAE Union Day.

Moreover, Dubai also hosts important business events, including trade shows and conferences, with the support of Dubai Business Events, part of Dubai Tourism (DET). This year, major industry exhibitions and shows like Gulfood, Arabian Travel Market, and the 30th Dubai International Boat Show have attracted thousands of visitors and exhibitors.

Dubai’s Ecotourism Strategy Continues to Lead

Regarding sustainability, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) released the inaugural 'Dubai Sustainability Report' in May, emphasizing the city's commitment to global sustainability objectives like the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the UAE's Net Zero 2050 initiative. The report highlighted the development plans and achievements supporting these objectives.

Furthermore, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp was awarded to 70 hotels in January 2024 for adhering to the city's '19 Sustainability Requirements' at the gold, silver, and bronze levels, with more hotels expected to receive recognition in the future. As part of the ecotourism efforts, Dubai Can, a sustainability initiative, has been successful in reducing the usage of single-use plastic water bottles and dispensing millions of litres of water through water fountains placed across the city. Notably, the pilot reef modules for the Dubai Reef project were launched in April, marking a significant milestone in the city's sustainability drive. The Dubai Reef project, part of the Dubai Can initiative, aims to deploy 20,000 modules across 600 square kilometres of Dubai's waters by 2027.