Dubai says Q1 international visitors up 11% this year

Dubai reported a record number of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year, cementing the emirate’s position as a leading global tourism hub amid a rebound in travel post-pandemic.

The city reported 5.18 million international overnight visitors in Q1 2024, up 11 per cent from the first quarter of the previous year, according to the latest data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Following a milestone year in 2023, with Dubai receiving a record 17.15 million international overnight visitors, the city’s tourism industry is building on the momentum in the first quarter of the year.

“The number of visitors in the first quarter of 2024 indicates that Dubai is on course for another standout performance this year after the emirate received a record number of visitors last year,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

“This will ensure that the tourism sector continues its growth journey in line with the objectives of D33, which aims to strengthen its position as a leading global city for business and leisure.”

DET said the latest figures aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to further consolidate the emirate’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.

Dubai stands at the forefront of global tourism

Meanwhile, Dubai’s diversified approach, built on bespoke strategies and activities in more than 80 markets, helped maintain its position as a first-choice travel destination for visitors both from key traditional and emerging markets.

Earlier in January, the emirate secured the top spot in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024 awards for the third consecutive year, making it the first city to achieve this remarkable milestone in succession.

From January to March, Western Europe was the city’s biggest source market with 1.14 million arrivals, a 22 per cent overall share, followed by South Asia with 869,000 visitors (17 per cent) and Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe with 817,000 (16 per cent).

From a regional perspective, the GCC and MENA were fourth and fifth, accounting for 664,000 (13 per cent) and 605,000 (12 per cent) arrivals, respectively.

The North-East Asia and South-East Asia region recorded 470,000 arrivals into Dubai (a 9 per cent share), followed by the Americas 344,000 (7 pe rcent), Africa 202,000 (4 per cent) and Australasia 70,000 (1 per cent).

From January to March, average daily hotel rates came in at Dhs638, a 5 per cent increase, compared to the same period in 2023, while revenue per available Room rose by 4 per cent to Dhs527.

Dubai’s hotels maintained a room occupancy rate of 83 per cent, a significant achievement given the 2 per cent year-on-year increase in overall room supply to 152,162 by the end of March.

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