8 million international tourists visit Dubai in 2024
Dubai is continuing to solidify its reputation as a top tourist destination, with new data showing that the city welcomed 8.12 million international tourists from January to May this year. This marks an impressive increase of almost 10 percent compared to the same period last year, when 7.39 million tourists visited the city.
Breaking down the numbers further, Dubai attracted 1.77 million international tourists in January, 1.9 million in February, 1.51 million in March, 1.5 million in April, and 1.44 million in May. These figures highlight the city’s year-round appeal and its ability to attract visitors from around the globe.
When it comes to the countries exporting the most tourists to Dubai, West European countries led the way with a 21 percent share, sending 1.728 million visitors to the city. South Asia followed closely behind with 1.399 million tourists, accounting for 17 percent of the total number of visitors. Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Eastern Europe came in third place, contributing 1.246 million visitors or 15 percent of the total number of tourists. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rounded out the top four, with 1.045 million tourists visiting Dubai, representing 13 percent of the total number of visitors.
The Middle East and North Africa countries came in fifth on the list of countries exporting tourists to Dubai, with 947,000 visitors accounting for 12 percent of the total. Northeast and Southeast Asian countries also played a significant role, contributing 764,000 visitors or 9 percent of the total number of tourists. Additionally, data from the Department of Economy and Tourism showed that the Americas sent 528,000 visitors to Dubai (7 percent of the total), Africa sent 339,000 visitors (4 percent), and Australasia sent 123,000 visitors (1 percent).
In terms of accommodations, Dubai has seen growth in its hotel sector, with the number of hotel rooms reaching 150,202 in 822 establishments by the end of May this year. This represents an increase from 148,754 rooms in 812 establishments at the same time last year. The average hotel occupancy rate in all establishments operating in Dubai during the first five months of this year was 81 percent, slightly higher than the 80 percent recorded during the same period in 2023.
Furthermore, the number of rooms booked in Dubai during the first five months of this year exceeded 18.34 million, marking a 4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when 17.71 million rooms were booked. This data underscores the city’s popularity among tourists and its ability to cater to a growing number of visitors.
Overall, Dubai’s tourism sector continues to thrive, attracting millions of international tourists each year with its diverse attractions, luxury accommodations, and world-class hospitality. With ongoing initiatives to enhance the visitor experience and promote the city as a global travel hub, Dubai is poised to maintain its position as a top destination for travelers from around the world.
