Dubai has set a new record for international tourism, welcoming 18.72 million overnight visitors in 2024, marking a 9 per cent year-on-year increase.

This surge surpasses the previous record of 17.15 million set in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The significant growth in tourism is underpinned by impactful local and international partnerships, creative global campaigns, and major events. These efforts align with the goals of D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.

Dubai’s remarkable performance also reflects its position as the number one city globally for foreign direct investment (FDI) into tourism, according to the Financial Times Ltd’s ‘fDi Markets’ data for H1 2024.

Key infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, further contribute to the city’s growth by enhancing the visitor experience and supporting future tourism expansion.

Dubai’s expanding visitor base from key regions

Tourism growth was further supported by DET’s global marketing activities, which targeted over 60 countries.

Dubai’s well-established partnerships with international players and its year-round campaigns showcased the city’s diverse offerings, increasing both visitor numbers and the number of people choosing to relocate to Dubai.

From a regional perspective, Dubai saw the highest growth in visitor numbers from North East and South East Asia (24 per cent), followed by Africa (20 per cent) and CIS and Eastern Europe (16 per cent). Western Europe remained the largest source region, with a 14 per cent increase in visitors.

Hotel sector performance

Dubai’s hotel sector also played a crucial role in its tourism success. By the end of December 2024, Dubai’s hotel inventory had expanded to 154,016 rooms across 832 establishments, compared to 150,291 rooms in 2023.

The city’s hotel occupancy rate rose to 78.2 per cent, up from 77.4 per cent in 2023.

The city’s hotel sector continued to outperform global peers, with average daily rates (ADR) remaining competitive.

The ADR for 2024 was Dhs538, a marginal increase from Dhs536 in 2023.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) also rose 2 per cent, reaching Dhs421, compared to Dhs415 in 2023.

Global leader in tourism

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), praised the contributions of Dubai’s partners and stakeholders in driving the city’s tourism growth.

“Our market strategy, built on bespoke campaigns, has been pivotal in showcasing Dubai’s diverse tourism offerings,” Kazim said.

In 2024, Dubai continued to attract international recognition, with the city being named the world’s leading shopping and exhibition destination at the 31st World Travel Awards.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) was also crowned the world’s leading airport, with 92.3 million passengers passing through in 2024.

Dubai’s focus on safety and accessibility further enhanced its appeal. The city ranked among the top five safest cities in the world and retained its position as the top destination for long-term remote workers, according to various global indices.

Successful events secure Dubai’s global status

The city’s tourism appeal was also boosted by a calendar of high-profile events, including the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which attracted 2.7 million participants, and the Dubai Shopping Festival, which marked its 30th edition.

Trade shows, such as GITEX Global, Gulfood, and Arabian Travel Market, attracted thousands of visitors and exhibitors.

Looking ahead, Dubai is committed to maintaining its tourism momentum, with extensive infrastructure developments already underway. Al Maktoum International Airport’s new Dhs128bn terminal will be the largest in the world when completed, while the Dubai Metro’s Blue Line extension will further enhance connectivity.

Read: Abu Dhabi Airports reports 28% growth in passenger traffic in 2024

G42 and Microsoft have officially launched the Responsible AI Foundation, marking the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East.

Supported by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the foundation aims to promote responsible AI standards and best practices across the Middle East and Global South.

Inception, a subsidiary of G42, will serve as the Programme Lead for the foundation, advancing its mission to ensure that AI development remains both ethical and inclusive.

Microsoft, in collaboration with G42, has also announced the expansion of its AI for Good Lab to Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for responsible AI development.

Responsible AI Foundation’s focus areas

The Responsible AI Foundation will launch with two key areas:

1. Responsible AI research: The foundation will lead cutting-edge research into both the technical and ethical elements of Responsible AI. This includes developing methodologies for AI safety, bias mitigation techniques, and explainability tools. Collaboration with global and regional research institutions will set new standards for AI fairness, transparency, and accountability.
2. Responsible AI implementation and governance: The foundation will design frameworks to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI systems that account for cultural diversity. These frameworks will involve risk assessment models, external ethics boards, technical audit tools, and adaptable governance guidelines to ensure that AI adoption is responsible, inclusive, and tailored to regional needs.

Additionally, the AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi will serve as a regional hub, working with NGOs and governmental organizations to harness AI in addressing societal challenges in the Middle East and Global South.

The first researchers at the Abu Dhabi hub will begin their work in March of this year.

LEAP 2025, a flagship event bringing together global technology and innovation leaders, officially launched in Riyadh on Sunday, February 9.

On the first day of the conference, investments and projects totaling over $14.9bn in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector were announced, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

These major investments solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global player in shaping the digital future.

The investments aim to foster digital skills development, support the growth of tech startups, and encourage innovation within the kingdom. They further solidify Saudi Arabia’s standing as the largest digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, creating a thriving environment for global tech companies.

The announcement was made during the keynote address by Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

LEAP 2025 positions Saudi Arabia as a tech leader

As LEAP 2025, which runs until Wednesday, kicked off under the theme “Into New Worlds”, Minister Alswaha highlighted that these investments and initiatives were made possible through the support of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

“These initiatives are integral to empowering the technology sector and accelerating Saudi Arabia’s transition towards an innovative, AI-driven economy,” said Alswaha. “They are also aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030.”

LEAP 2025 is organised by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf Company — a joint venture between SAFCSP and Informa, with support from the Events Investment Fund.

Several high-profile investments were unveiled on the event’s first day, including:

• Groq & Aramco Digital: A $1.5bn investment to expand AI-powered cloud computing, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI.
• Alat and Lenovo: A $2bn investment to create an advanced AI and robotics-based manufacturing and technology centre in Saudi Arabia and establish Lenovo’s regional headquarters in Riyadh.
• Google: Plans to launch a global AI hub in Saudi Arabia to meet regional and international demand through an AI infrastructure investment.
• Qualcomm: Introduction of the ALLaM language model on the Qualcomm AI Cloud, alongside the ALLaM AI PC, advancing cloud-based AI solutions.
• Alibaba Cloud: An AI empowerment program in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy and STC to train local talent and support a sustainable digital future.
• Databricks: A commitment of $300m in platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions to foster data engineering and AI expertise.
• SambaNova: A $140m pledge to enhance advanced AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
• KKR and Gulf Data Hub: A major investment in Saudi Arabia’s data centre development with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts.
• Salesforce: A $500m commitment to expand its Hyperforce platform in Saudi Arabia.
• Tencent Cloud: A $150m investment to establish its first cloud region in the Middle East, launching integrated AI capabilities from Saudi Arabia.

Read: LEAP Nights debuts in Riyadh

The integration of AI in waste management is transforming waste segregation processes through automation and precision. Smart systems, supported by advanced telecommunications infrastructure, are reshaping how waste is collected, sorted, and processed, bringing new efficiency to an industry ready for change.

These technological advancements arrive at a crucial moment as the waste management sector embraces digital solutions to address growing environmental challenges.

The scale of Saudi Arabia’s waste management challenge demands innovative solutions aligned with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals. The country generates more than 110 million tonnes of waste annually, with nearly half concentrated in three major cities – Riyadh (21 per cent), Jeddah (14 per cent), and Dammam (8 per cent). The environmental impact is substantial, with the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN) estimating environmental degradation costs from solid waste at $1.3bn in 2021.

As landfill sites approach capacity, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has responded with a comprehensive strategy unveiled in early 2024. This ambitious plan aims to achieve a 95 per cent recycling rate and process 100 million tonnes of waste annually, supported by more than 65 initiatives and investments exceeding SR55bn. The strategy is expected to contribute SR120bn ($31.99bn) to the gross domestic product, marking a significant shift in how waste management operates within the Kingdom.

The implementation of AI and IoT technologies, enabled by modern telecommunications networks, stands at the forefront of this transformation. Smart bins equipped with sensors now monitor waste levels in real-time, transmitting data to central management systems that analyse fill rates and predict collection needs.

These systems optimise pickup routes, reducing unnecessary collections and lowering fuel consumption and carbon emissions from collection vehicles. In processing facilities, AI-powered sorting machines improve material recovery rates using advanced algorithms to identify different types of waste materials. This technology processes waste faster than traditional methods while maintaining higher accuracy rates and reducing contamination in recycled materials.

The integration extends to collection vehicles, where AI systems monitor and verify waste content, ensuring compliance with acceptance criteria and maintaining processing quality standards throughout the entire waste management chain.

Predictive analytics and data-driven decision-making are reshaping waste management operations at every level. By analysing historical data and current trends, AI systems forecast waste generation patterns, enabling precise resource allocation and infrastructure planning. This capability proves particularly valuable in urban areas, where waste patterns vary significantly based on population density and commercial activity.

The technology monitors waste from collection to processing, providing real-time data on volumes, types, and processing status. These insights enable facility managers to optimise operations, identify improvement areas, and make informed decisions about infrastructure development. The implementation of robotics in material recovery facilities (MRFs) adds another layer of sophistication, with AI-guided robotic sorting systems working continuously to separate materials, reducing processing time, and improving recovery rates, particularly effective for handling mixed waste streams where accurate sorting is crucial for maximising resource recovery.

The digital transformation of waste management through AI introduces unprecedented levels of transparency and efficiency to the sector. Advanced monitoring systems track waste throughout its journey, from source to final processing, creating a digital trail that ensures accountability and enables real-time reporting.

This data-driven approach provides valuable insights for policymakers and operators, facilitating strategic planning and operational improvements. AI systems analyse patterns in waste generation and processing, enabling better infrastructure planning and resource allocation.

The technology optimises recycling processes through continuous analysis of waste composition data, ensuring maximum resource recovery while minimising environmental impact. This systematic approach to waste management represents a fundamental shift in how the sector operates, moving from reactive to proactive management strategies that anticipate and address challenges before they emerge.

The potential of AI in waste management extends beyond operational efficiency – it’s about creating a cleaner, more responsible world for future generations, ushering in an era where every action in managing waste is a step towards sustainability.

• Abdullah Mohammad Khorami is the Chief Business Officer of Etihad Salam Telecom Company.

Saudi Arabia is set to introduce new regulations for investment funds in the country.

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia has initiated a public consultation regarding proposed changes to the regulatory framework for investment funds.

Important: How LEAP 2025 is shaping Saudi Arabia’s tech ambitions

The proposed regulations aim to enhance the regulatory framework by increasing transparency and disclosure for fund unit holders, ensuring governance standards that protect investor rights, and boosting the appeal of asset management in the country.

Additionally, the consultation outlines provisions for the voluntary withdrawal of public and private fund managers. Current fund managers will now be required to transfer their management responsibilities to a successor within 60 days of receiving approval.

Read: Saudi Arabian poultry producer Entaj plans to sell 30% stake in Riyadh IPO

This regulatory mechanism would ensure:

• The protection of investors’ rights in public, private, and real estate investment funds
• A smooth transition of fund management
• Safeguarding unit holders’ interests
• Bolstering investor confidence in the capital market

Real estate investment funds

Funds listed on the Parallel Market (Nomu) would, upon establishment, be allowed to invest in real estate development projects. These funds will not be bound by the investment policy percentages and asset restrictions stipulated in the Real Estate Investment Funds Regulations.

Advantages for investors

• Expansion of investment opportunities for these funds
• Support for the diversification of assets
• Increased flexibility, enhancing potential returns for investors

Must know: Saudi Arabia eases foreign property investments in Mecca, Medina

If approved, the project would also allow capital market institutions licensed to conduct investment management activities to distribute foreign funds and offer their securities in Saudi Arabia. This would enable clients in the country to invest in foreign funds.

Additionally, the CMA has proposed other regulatory provisions to encourage the growth of investment funds and real estate investment funds in Saudi Arabia.