Dubai has seen a significant increase in international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024, welcoming 9.31 million visitors, which represents a 9% growth compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in tourism follows a record-breaking year in 2023, with 17.15 million international overnight visitors coming to the city. With this positive trend, Dubai is on track for another record performance in 2024, showcasing the city’s popularity as a global tourist destination.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, emphasized the city’s ability to foster productive partnerships and global collaborations which have contributed to its tourism growth. He stated that Dubai continues to lead in the global tourism landscape and aims to set new benchmarks in 2024 by improving infrastructure and services for visitors. This growth aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai as a leading global city for business and leisure.
The success of Dubai’s tourism industry can be attributed to its diversified market approach, strong public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and alternative growth strategies. These factors have led to a surge in both leisure and business visitation, along with increased investment and the influx of global talent. Proximity markets in the GCC and MENA regions accounted for a significant portion of visits, with Western Europe, South Asia, CIS, and Eastern Europe also contributing significantly to Dubai’s visitor numbers.
Driven by a rebound from China, North-East and South-East Asia saw an increase in visitor numbers during the first half of 2024. Other regions such as the Americas, Africa, and Australasia also contributed to Dubai’s tourism growth. However, with the increasing demand for hotels outstripping supply in the city, collaboration with partners and stakeholders will be essential to sustain this positive growth throughout the year.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), highlighted the importance of continued support from partners and stakeholders in driving global and market-specific campaigns to capitalize on the positive tourism growth in Dubai. With a commitment to maintaining the successful trajectory and further developing infrastructure and services, Dubai aims to continue its record-breaking performance in 2024 and solidify its position as a premier international destination.
