Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, a 9 per cent increase over the 8.55 million tourist arrivals in the first half of 2023, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
This growth continues the momentum from 2023, when the city hosted 17.15 million international visitors, putting Dubai on track for a record performance in 2024.
Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and driven by DET’s collaborative efforts, the rise in international visitors aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to establish Dubai as a leading global destination for business and leisure.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized the robust growth of Dubai's tourism sector and its attractive proposition for global travellers.
He noted,
Dubai is setting the standard for cities worldwide, in line with the objective of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai as one of the world’s top urban economies.
He urged stakeholders to expand partnerships, explore new opportunities, and enhance Dubai’s value offering with rich and memorable experiences.
The increase in international visitation during H1 2024 is a result of citywide strategies implemented in partnership with stakeholders across public and private sectors, yielding international recognition. Dubai was named the No.1 global destination for the third successive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and received accolades as the Middle East’s leading destination by the World Travel Awards.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DET, highlighted that the significant increase in visitor numbers reflects the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and aligns with the D33 Agenda’s objective to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live, and work in. He attributed Dubai’s success to a diversified market approach, strong public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and alternative growth pathways.
In H1 2024, proximity markets in GCC and MENA accounted for a combined 26 per cent share of overall visitors. Western Europe accounted for 20 per cent of visitors, South Asia 17 per cent, and CIS and Eastern Europe 15 per cent. The Americas, Africa, and Australasia also saw a rise in visitation.
Dubai’s hotel sector performed well, with an average occupancy of 78.7 per cent and a 3 per cent increase in occupied room nights. The average daily rate rose to AED558, and revenue per available room increased to AED439. The number of available rooms reached 150,879 by June 2024.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), stated,
Inspired by the city’s visionary leadership and guided by the objectives of the D33 Agenda, Dubai has continued to stay ahead of the curve by further elevating standards with innovative and distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences, and attractions.
He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving global and market-specific campaigns to build on the positive growth throughout 2024.
Dubai’s strategic initiatives, robust public-private partnerships, and global campaigns continue to enhance its position as a leading destination, ensuring sustained growth in tourism and contributing significantly to the emirate’s GDP.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
