Dubai attracted 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, marking a 9% increase from the 8.55 million visitors during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
After a record-setting year in 2023 with 17.15 million visitors, Dubai’s tourism sector is on track for another strong performance in 2024. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attributed this growth to successful public-private partnerships and global collaborations, enhancing Dubai’s status as a top international destination.
“We remain committed to maintaining this successful trajectory and boosting the tourism sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP. By further developing our infrastructure and providing exceptional services for visitors, we aim to set new benchmarks and records in 2024,” Sheikh Hamdan stated in a Khaleej Times report.
The growth also aligns with the first year of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the city’s diversified market approach and liberal visa policies as key drivers of this success.
The GCC and MENA regions contributed significantly to visitor numbers, accounting for 26% of total visits, followed by Western Europe (20%), South Asia (17%), and the CIS and Eastern Europe (15%). North-East and South-East Asia saw a significant rebound, increasing their share to 10% of total visitors by the end of June 2024.
The surge in tourism has led to a high demand for hotel accommodations in Dubai. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), emphasized the importance of continued support from partners and stakeholders to sustain this growth throughout the rest of the year.