Dubai’s tourism boom: 9.31 million visitors in H1 2024

Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, marking a 9 per cent increase from the 8.55 million tourists in the same period in 2023, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as reported by state news agency WAM.

This growth continues the momentum from a record-breaking 2023, when the city hosted 17.15 million international visitors.

Visionary leadership and strategic goals

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, stated, “Dubai’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate its robust growth potential and attractive proposition for global travellers. Our aim is to enhance Dubai’s value offering by creating rich and memorable experiences.”

He added that the progress was guided by the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and supported by DET’s initiatives, boosting Dubai’s tourism sector which is aligned with the ambitious objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Dubai continues to set new tourism records, welcoming over 9.3 million international visitors in the first half of 2024. Growing an impressive 9% from the same period last year, this performance reflects Mohammed bin Rashid’s strategic vision for growth embodied in the Dubai… pic.twitter.com/hTNRXHpjRj

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) July 28, 2024

This agenda aims to solidify Dubai’s status as a premier global destination for both business and leisure.

Key factors

The rise in international visitors is attributed to strategic efforts across key tourism pillars.

In collaboration with domestic stakeholders and more than 3,000 global partners in 80 markets, DET’s targeted campaigns resulted in Dubai achieving impressive growth in key markets in the first half of 2024, added the report.

With strategies and activities highlighting the city’s unique offering, dynamic appeal and connectivity, Dubai has maintained its position as a first-choice travel destination for visitors both from key traditional and emerging markets.

These efforts, developed in partnership with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, have not only boosted performance but also earned global recognition.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DET, highlighted the significance of diversified market approaches, strong public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and alternative growth pathways as catalysts for the increase in both leisure and business visitors.

“Our success stems from a diversified market approach, strong public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and alternative growth pathways, all catalysts for the continued surge in both leisure and business visitation, along with increasing levels of investment and inflows of global talent. Looking ahead, we are committed to sustaining and building upon this trajectory, leveraging diverse source markets to enhance tourism’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP.”

Performance by key markets

From January to June 2024, proximity markets in the GCC and MENA regions contributed 26 per cent of overall visitors, with 1.27 million (14 per cent) from GCC and 1.09 million (12 per cent) from MENA.

Western Europe accounted for 20 per cent of visitors with 1.89 million arrivals, followed by South Asia with 1.62 million (17 per cent), and CIS and Eastern Europe with 1.37 million (15 per cent).

North-East and South-East Asia grew to a 10 per cent share with 896,000 visitors, driven by a strong recovery from China.

Hospitality sector

Dubai’s hotel sector continues to perform well, with an average occupancy rate of 78.7 per cent, up from 77.7 per cent in the same period in 2023. Occupied room nights increased by 3 per cent to 21.35 million, and the average daily rate (ADR) rose by 4 per cent.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 6 per cent and the city’s hotel inventory reached 150,879 rooms across 823 establishments.

The first half of 2024 saw several high-profile hotel openings, including The Lana by Dorchester Collection, SIRO One Za’abeel, and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences. These additions are part of Dubai’s strategic approach to expanding accommodation options to meet demand.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), emphasised Dubai’s commitment to maintaining its growth trajectory.

He highlighted the city’s exceptional quality of life, safety, and accessibility, consistently recognised across global indices.

Sustainability initiatives

Dubai’s tourism sector is also focusing on sustainability, with initiatives like the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp and the Dubai Can project.

The city is on track to become the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, with several attractions and hotels achieving Certified Autism Centre status.

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