Dubai has cemented itself as one of the world’s top global destinations, blending futuristic skyscrapers, luxury shopping, desert adventures, and world-class events.
In 2024, Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors, a new record that placed the city firmly in the global top three destinations.
In the first half of 2025, Dubai already saw 9.88 million visitors, signaling another record year ahead.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy, supported by world-class hotels, infrastructure, and events.
💡 Expert Insight — Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM)
“Dubai welcomed a record-breaking 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024, surpassing previous figures.”Key stats: Dubai Tourism
- 18.72 million overnight visitors in 2024 — up 9% over the year before, setting a new high for Dubai.
- The city has expanded its lodging capacity: 154,016 hotel rooms across 832 hotels by end-2024.
- In the first half of 2025, hotel occupancy averaged 80.6%, reflecting strong demand.
- Guests spent 22.24 million occupied room nights in H1 2025, up from 21.35 million in H1 2024.
- Average stay in that period was about 3.71 nights per visitor.
- Hotel rates are climbing: ADR reached AED 584/night in H1 2025, while RevPAR rose 7% to AED 471.
- As of mid-2025, there were 152,483 rooms in 822 establishments available for tourists.
- Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors in H1 2025 alone.
- DXB airport had 44.9 million passengers in the first half of 2024, pushing past past benchmarks.
How Many Tourists Visit Dubai Each Year?
Dubai welcomed 18.72 million overnight international visitors in 2024, up 9% compared to 2023.
- 2019: 16.73M (pre-pandemic record)
- 2020: 5.5M (COVID-19 impact)
- 2022: 14.36M (rebound)
- 2023: 17.15M (+16%)
- 2024: 18.72M (+9%)
- H1 2025: 9.88M (+6% YoY)
💡 Expert Insight — Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
“Dubai continues to set new records, welcoming over 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of this year, a 6% rise from the same period in 2024. This milestone reflects the vision of Mohammed bin Rashid to position Dubai among the world’s top three global tourism destinations.”
How Many Tourists Visit Dubai Each Day?
Dubai receives around 51,000 overnight visitors per day on average (2024 data).
This number surges in December–January during New Year’s celebrations and major shopping festivals.
How Much Do Visitors Spend in Dubai?
Dubai generated around $32.7 billion in international visitor spending in 2023, the world’s highest tourism receipts.
- Average spend per visitor: ~$1,900
- Total receipts (2023): $32.7B
- Tourism contributes ~12% of Dubai’s GDP
Which Countries Visit Dubai the Most?
India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom remain Dubai’s top source markets.
| Country | Visitors (2024 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | ~2.5M | Largest inbound market |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | ~1.6M | Regional travelers |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~1.3M | Leading European market |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | ~1.2M | Growing since 2022 |
| 🇺🇸 United States | ~1.2M | High-spend visitors |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~950K | Strong European demand |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | ~850K | GCC neighbor |
| 🇨🇳 China | ~720K | Major rebound |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | ~670K | Business + leisure |
| 🇫🇷 France | ~620K | Consistent luxury market |
What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Dubai?
The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall remain Dubai’s most iconic attractions, drawing massive footfall.
| Attraction | Annual Visitors (est.) |
|---|---|
| Dubai Mall | ~100M+ |
| Burj Khalifa (Observation Deck) | ~4M |
| Dubai Fountain | ~15M |
| Global Village | ~9M |
| Dubai Miracle Garden | ~1.5M |
| Palm Jumeirah | ~3M |
| Museum of the Future | ~1M |
| Atlantis Aquaventure | ~2M |
| Dubai Frame | ~1.5M |
| Jumeirah Beach | ~10M |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Dubai? (Seasonality)
Winter remains the most popular season to visit Dubai, thanks to cooler temperatures and a packed events calendar.
| Season | Visitor Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Peak | Best weather, festivals, global events |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Moderate | Warm weather, pre-summer demand |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Low | Hot climate, but indoor attractions thrive |
| Autumn (Sep–Oct) | Rising | Events season begins |
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Dubai?
Dubai’s event calendar drives international arrivals, with millions traveling for shopping, culture, and sports.
| Event | Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Shopping Festival | Millions | Retail + entertainment |
| New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Burj Khalifa | ~1M | Global spotlight |
| Dubai World Cup (Horse Racing) | ~80K | World’s richest horse race |
| Dubai Food Festival | ~200K | Culinary hub |
| Dubai Summer Surprises | Millions | Family shopping event |
| Art Dubai | ~30K | Global art showcase |
| Dubai Airshow | ~100K | Aviation industry |
| Global Village Cultural Festival | ~9M | Seasonal mega attraction |
How Much Money Does Dubai Make From Tourism?
Dubai earned $32.7 billion in tourism receipts in 2023, more than any other city in the world.
Tourism remains one of the strongest drivers of Dubai’s GDP, sustaining growth in hospitality, transport, retail, and real estate.
Hotels Snapshot (2024/25)
Dubai hotels continue to perform among the best globally.
- Occupancy 2023: 77.4%
- Occupancy 2024: ~78.2%
- Occupancy H1 2025: ~80.6%
- Hotel rooms: ~150,000+
- ADR: ~$182
- Dubai is a world leader in luxury hotel supply
💡 Expert Insight — Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports
“We have a very optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, and we expect to handle record passenger traffic, with forecasts pointing to 96 million passengers in 2025.”
FAQ – Dubai Tourism Insights
How many tourists visit Dubai each year?
Dubai welcomed 18.72 million overnight visitors in 2024, the highest in its history.
What is Dubai’s most visited attraction?
The Dubai Mall is the most visited attraction, welcoming over 100 million people annually.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
The best time to visit Dubai is from November to March, when the weather is cooler and events are at their peak.
Which countries send the most tourists to Dubai?
India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom are the top source markets for Dubai tourism.
How much money does Dubai make from tourism?
Dubai generated $32.7 billion in visitor spending in 2023, the highest of any city worldwide.
Sources
- Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) — Dubai Tourism Performance Report 2024 (18.72M international overnight visitors)
- Dubai Media Office — Dubai Welcomes 9.88 Million International Visitors in H1 2025 (+6% YoY)
- Emirates NBD Research — Dubai Tourism Sector 2024 (hotel occupancy ~78.2%)
- Global Media Insight — Dubai Tourism & DXB Airport Passenger Statistics 2024 (92M passengers)
- Economy Middle East — Statement by Issam Kazim on Dubai Tourism Growth 2024
- Moneycontrol — Statement by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed on H1 2025 Visitor Milestone
- The Economic Times — Statement by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports (forecast of 96M passengers in 2025)
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