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• Research and insights

Tourism Performance Report January - September 2023

Performance reports

Fri, October 20, 2023

Dubai welcomes 12.40M overnight visitors in Jan- Sep 2023, with the highest number of international guests from India at 1.8M.

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Total international visitors

• 12.40 M in 2023
• 10.12 M in 2022
• 12.08 M in 2019

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Dubai tops world in tourist spending, earns $29.4 billion

Business markets.

• Travel & Tourism

Dubai earned $29.4 billion in international visitor spending last year

Riyadh: Dubai has ranked number one among cities with the highest spending by international tourists, earning $ 29.4 billion this year, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC) revealed. The Emirate overtook Doha and London, where tourists spent $16.8 billion and $16.1 billion, respectively, WTTC said in its latest Cities Economic Impact report.

Sponsored by Visa, the WTTC launched its Cities Economic Impact Report (EIR) at the 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh last week. The Report shows cities remain the powerhouses of global tourism and will drive the recovery of the sector and economies worldwide. The Cities EIR analysed 82 international city destinations. They showed that before the pandemic, major cities were popular travel destinations, accounting for almost half of all international visits, both as standalone destinations and as gateways to other tourism hotspots within countries.

Tourism poised to generate millions of jobs

Qatar’s capital Doha is forecast to see the most significant increase from 2019 to 2022 in terms of international traveller spending and direct travel and tourism contribution to the city’s GDP, with an expected increase of 21 per cent.

• Tourism revenue in UAE tops $5 billion in the first half of 2022
• Starting October 29, Dubai's cruise tourism is heading for one big comeback post-pandemic

In Europe, Warsaw is expected to witness a 14 per cent increase in 2022 versus 2019 in travel and tourism’s contribution to the city’s GDP. In the US, Orlando is projected to see a 10 per cent increase in direct Travel & Tourism contribution to the city’s GDP over that same period.

Over the next decade, the sector is on track to become a key driver of economic growth again, with faster GDP growth than other sectors, generating 126 million new jobs worldwide. By 2032, the sector will directly generate up to eight per cent of all jobs in the 82 cities analysed in the Cities Report. This is up from 6.6 per cent in 2019 and a low of 5.1 per cent in 2020.

Strong appetite for history, culture

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on travel and tourism and, in particular, major cities worldwide as countries closed their borders in response to the pandemic.

However, Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, said, “Our Report clearly shows that for millions of tourists worldwide, major cities remain iconic global destinations. There’s still a strong appetite to experience the history, culture, and energy that cities offer travellers.”

She added, “Before the pandemic, cities were powerhouses for international tourists, serving as standalone destinations and as gateways to other tourist destinations within countries. This year cities are recovering worldwide, and we forecast that cities will continue to grow and thrive over the next decade.”

Throughout the pandemic, and as borders began to reopen, leisure travellers swapped major metropolises for less-populated destinations such as coastal and rural hotspots, leaving economies of international cities to battle through an incredibly tough three years.

According to the Report, ten of the 82 cities analysed are projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in direct travel and tourism GDP contribution to the city economies this year.

Jeni Mundy, Head of Global Merchant Sales and Acquiring Visa, said, “Even after the colossal challenges the pandemic brought to the travel industry, the economic benefit of tourism to cities remains strong. Consumers’ willingness to adopt digital-first travel experiences will help pave the way for even more innovations in the future.”

2022 International Vistor spending

Highest visitor spending

1. Dubai $24.9bn

2. Doha -$16.8bn

3. London - $16.1bn

Most recovered

1. Doha - +21%

2. Orlando - +19%

3. Antalya - +15%

Source: WTCC Cities Economic Impact Report

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Dubai receives 14.36 mn international visitors

05 Feb, 2023

- Dubai receives 14.36 million international visitors in 2022 .. Exceptional growth in visitation enables city to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels Hamdan bin Mohammed: Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry - “The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy” - Guided by its visionary leadership, Dubai consolidates its status as the world’s most popular destination, with 97 per cent YoY increase in visitation - Tourist travel to Dubai in 2022 reaches 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, exceeding global recovery - levels of 63 per cent and Middle East recovery levels of 83 per cent - Stellar performance contributes to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal of consolidating Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business - Growth validates city’s ranking as No. 1 global destination in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for second successive year - Dubai sees one of the world’s highest average occupancy rates of 73 per cent in 2022 Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said: “Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth, which has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry,  demonstrates the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform the emirate into an important global player in shaping the future of vital sectors. The remarkable rise in international visitation in 2022 supports the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy. “The exceptional growth in the inflow of visitors reflects Dubai’s continued rise as one of the world’s most connected cities and its determination to lead the world in hospitality infrastructure and service levels. The high growth shows the world that we never rest on our achievements and constantly work to raise our benchmarks. I am confident that Dubai will be an even greater catalyst for the growth of global tourism and travel connectivity in the years ahead." By closing in on its pre-pandemic visitation of 16.73 million in 2019, Dubai’s 2022 tourism performance further validated its ranking as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 for the second successive year, only the second city in history to achieve the feat. The latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows that global tourist travel in 2022 was 37 per cent lower than 2019. The Middle East saw the strongest relative increase, with arrivals climbing to 83 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers. Dubai exceeded both global and regional barometers of recovery with visitors to the city in 2022 reaching 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. His Excellency, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “Aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the world’s most visited and re-visited destination, the performance of our industry in 2022 shows the extraordinary progress made by the city over the past two years. While the global economy remains in a state of flux, Dubai has emerged as a clear leader in the tourism industry. The robust performance is a testament to Dubai’s growing role at the vanguard of global tourism recovery. The positive momentum also shows that tourism remains a significant contributor to the city’s economic growth and sustainable development, further driving the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to reinforce Dubai’s status as one of world’s top three cities for tourism and business.   “The effectiveness of our strategies and initiatives gives us the confidence to tap new growth opportunities in the global travel and business sectors over the next few decades. As the fastest growing city in the Middle East, Dubai’s continuous growth has been made possible by the unwavering support of our stakeholders and partners and a raft of strategic investments and federal policy reforms that have led to a steady flow of global entrepreneurs, talent, investors, and business and leisure travellers. The industry-wide success has also encouraged us to redouble our efforts to provide more opportunities for Emirati talent to contribute to the growth of Dubai’s tourism sector, aligned with our cutting-edge industry nationalisation programme to build the next generation of tourism professionals. We will continue to accelerate momentum throughout 2023 and beyond by focusing on all the key elements that have placed Dubai at the forefront of the world’s leading travel destinations – a diversified approach to markets, an evolving multifaceted destination proposition, continuous collaboration with our partners, all of which have enabled us to deliver exceptional value to visitors from around the world,” HE Helal Almarri added. Dubai’s international markets maintain momentum The strong performance in 2022 features some noteworthy spikes in Dubai’s traditional key markets and strong growth across emerging markets. Dubai remained a first-choice safe travel destination for visitors from the city’s stronghold markets. From a regional perspective, Western Europe and GCC regions each accounted for a 21 per cent share of arrivals. The GCC region in particular saw an exponential increase in their share of arrivals from 13 per cent in 2021 to 21 per cent last year. South Asia contributed 17 per cent of total volumes while the MENA region contributed 12 per cent, further reinforcing Dubai’s continued appeal to travellers from proximity markets. The Americas accounted for seven per cent of arrivals while the North Asia and South East Asia region and Africa each contributed five per cent and Australasia accounted for two per cent. His Excellency, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “As Dubai continues to grow exponentially in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by our visionary leadership to make Dubai one of the world’s top three cities for tourism and business,  it remains committed to moving to the next level with new and unique world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions. The sheer diversity of the destination proposition and Dubai’s growing profile as a safe, open and accessible destination saw the city being chosen as the No.1 global destination for the second year in a row in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023.   Our partners played a pivotal role in achieving the No.1 ranking with their contributions to both Dubai’s tourism growth and the sector’s global rebound, as well as their active participation in all our global campaigns and marketing activities that have driven consideration for Dubai as the destination of choice for global travellers. The exceptional support of our public and private sector stakeholders and partners will be instrumental in raising our ability to showcase our unmatched offering designed to meet the diverse preferences and budgets of international travellers, as we gear up to welcome more visitors to Dubai in 2023.” Hospitality sector achieves significant growth Dubai’s hotel sector, which continues to be integral to the emirate’s destination promise and the overall growth of the tourism industry, continued to perform strongly across all hospitality metrics. Average occupancy for the hotel sector in 2022 stood at 73 per cent, one of the highest in the world, rising from 67 per cent in 2021. The figure is just short of the 75 per cent occupancy in the pre-pandemic period of 2019. The high occupancy is particularly noteworthy as it was achieved despite a 16 per cent increase in room supply in 2022 compared to 2019. Dubai’s hotel inventory at the end of December 2022 comprised of 146,496 rooms at 804 hotel establishments, compared to 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. The total number of hotels in 2022 marked a six per cent growth over 2021, with 755 hotel establishments offering 137,950 rooms, figures that highlight the continued strong investor confidence in Dubai’s tourism sector.   The hotel sector outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all other key measurements – Occupied Room Nights, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Occupied room nights reached a record high of 37.43 million room nights in 2022, registering a 19 per cent increase vs. 2021 (31.47 million) and a 17 per cent increase over the pre-pandemic period of 2019, which yielded 32.11 million occupied room nights. The ADR of AED536 in 2022 surpassed the ADRs for both 2021 (AED451) and 2019 (AED415), with 19 per cent and 29 per cent increases respectively. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 30 per cent compared to 2021 (AED391 v AED301) and an increase of 25 per cent over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). Celebrity-led global campaigns One of the driving factors behind Dubai’s success in 2022 can be attributed to captivating global campaigns conducted in collaboration with regional and international celebrities, opinion leaders, influencers and community personalities that highlighted the city’s unique appeal and brought to life the myriad experiences it offers. One such campaign is Dubai Presents, which takes a novel approach to global destination marketing, using a highly stylised movie approach to create engaging content. Shot against the backdrop of some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and unique hidden locations, these short films feature Hollywood stars like Jessica Alba and Zac Efron. The ‘Where the World Celebrates’ global campaign that coincided with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar featured French football star Karim Benzema. International events destination One of the biggest success stories of the region in 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai, made a massive contribution to the tourism industry’s outstanding performance. The six-month long event, which attracted over 24 million visits, once again proved Dubai’s ability to host mega global events and reinforced its position as an international events destination. Dubai seeks to further enhance its destination proposition across all tourism pillars, leveraging the retail and events sectors to attract more domestic and global visitors. In addition to Expo 2020, Dubai continued to host global business and leisure events across 2022 including Gulfood, the World Government Summit, Binance Blockchain Week, Gitex Global Dubai, the International Boat Show and the Arabian Travel Market. In addition to this, the city also hosted the Skift Global Forum East, the first-ever international extension of the world’s flagship travel conference, the Skift Global Forum. At this event, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of an annual Dubai Tourism Summit. Every year, as part of its Retail Calendar, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment team (DFRE) organises major festivals and events including the iconic internationally-renowned Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and Dubai Fitness Challenge.  In 2022, DFRE also launched the inaugural Dubai Esports Festival, the largest international esports tournament to be held in the region. A leading sports tourism destination, Dubai also hosts an extensive line-up of annual global sports tournaments and events , attracting sporting icons, players and fans from around the world. In 2022 the city’s international sporting calendar included the Dubai World Cup horse race, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and the DP World Tour championship, to name a few. Dubai pulled out all stops to enable residents and visiting fans to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2022 at buzzing hotspots in the city. Dubai was chosen as one of six cities globally to host an official FIFA Fan Festival, making Dubai a focal point for the international football fraternity. Culinary innovation and accolades Dubai’s culinary sector was a significant driver of growth in 2022, with the city’s rich, creative and multi-cultural dining scene attracting visitors and accolades from across the globe. Dubai’s eclectic gastronomic scene features around 13,000 restaurants and cafés, ranging from homegrown eateries to gourmet institutions and fine dining restaurants, offering diverse cuisines. The city’s thriving culinary landscape was recognised with the launch of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Dubai in June 2022. The first regional edition of the world’s most prestigious restaurant guide featured a total of 69 restaurants, including 14 Bib Gourmand winners. Further, Dubai’s restaurants and chefs were recognised in the inaugural edition of the Middle East & North Africa region’s 50 Best Restaurants list unveiled in February 2022, which celebrates culinary excellence across the region. The arrival of fine dining food critique brand Gault&Millau also contributed to the evolution of the dining scene in Dubai. In 2022, DET launched the region’s first-ever Gastronomy Industry Report, a comprehensive study of the gastronomy scene in the city and the region, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a highly sought-after global food tourism destination. Delivering on sustainability goals With sustainability embedded in its tourism strategy, Dubai has taken decisive measures to position itself as a top choice for holidaymakers seeking sustainable and safe destinations. Throughout 2022, Dubai worked tirelessly to achieve the city’s sustainability goals, led by Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), an initiative aimed at raising the city’s profile as a leading sustainable destination. DST has taken steps to contribute to the city’s broader clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. With 2023 declared as the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and Expo City Dubai hosting COP28, the UN Climate Change conference, the year will be key for advancing Dubai’s vision to enhance sustainability and forge global cooperation to address vital issues. The last year saw the launch of ‘Dubai Can’, an innovative citywide sustainability initiative, as part of the drive to transform the emirate into a leading sustainable destination and the world’s best city to live and work. Global cruise and yacht tourism destination Cruise and yacht tourism played a crucial role in attracting international tourists and strengthening Dubai’s position as a global travel hub in 2022. The expansion of the cruise sector has further consolidated Dubai’s status as the cruise hub of the region. Similarly, with its world-class infrastructure, advanced facilities, year-round sunshine, luxury marinas, award-winning tourism offerings, rich maritime history and picturesque coastline, Dubai continues to amplify its appeal as a global superyacht hub.    New landmarks and initiatives to spur growth In 2022, a number of new attractions and initiatives were launched as part of the ever-evolving destination proposition. These include the unveiling of the Museum of the Future, Dubai’s new iconic landmark that offers a gateway to a future world. Dubai also unveiled Expo City, the dynamic legacy of Expo 2020, an innovation-driven, human centric vision of the future, and Atlantis The Royal, a mega resort located on Palm Jumeirah. With the implementation of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to expand the emirate’s tourism offering by over 100%, Dubai is on track to achieve its vision of becoming the city of the future. Moreover, Dubai will launch new initiatives aligned with the UAE 2031 Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract 40 million guests by 2031 and increase the tourism sector's contribution to the emirate’s GDP to AED 450 billion. Dubai also continues to unveil strong regulatory initiatives to promote the accelerated growth of the tourism sector including hassle-free entry procedures for business and leisure travellers that streamline access to the emirate by establishing long-term engagement with the city. These include the 60-day tourist visa available from September 2022, and the Five-Year Multi-Entry Visa for employees of multinational companies, in addition to the Golden Visa, Virtual Working and Retire in Dubai programmes. In 2022, Dubai was selected as one of 20 destinations globally under Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere initiative to identify the world’s most remote worker-friendly destinations. Airbnb also launched the Dubai Remote Working Hub, a one-stop-shop for aspiring remote workers in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

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Leisure Travel

Tourism industry in UAE - statistics & facts

Uae tourism overview, luxury leading uae’s tourism, key insights.

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Travel and tourism spending in the GCC 2021, by country

Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the GCC 2026, by country

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Number of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by country of origin

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Middle Eastern countries with the most international tourist arrivals 2022

Middle Eastern countries with the largest number of international tourist arrivals in 2022 (in millions)

Inbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025

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Targets for international tourist arrivals in the Gulf Cooperation Council as of 2023, by country

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Contribution of tourism to UAE economy

• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates 2013-2028
• Premium Statistic Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029
• Premium Statistic Per capita spending on restaurants and hotels in the UAE 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates 2013-2028

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates from 2013 to 2028

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates from 2006 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Per capita spending on restaurants and hotels in the UAE 2014-2029

Per capita consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates from 2006 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029
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Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin

Number of guests at hotels and hotel apartments in United Arab Emirates in 2022, by region of origin (in 1,000s)

Annual growth in number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin

Annual growth in number of guests at hotels and hotel apartments in United Arab Emirates in 2022, by region of origin

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Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai in 2022, by region

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Share of tourist trips in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by purpose

Tourism attitudes

• Premium Statistic Travel product bookings in the UAE 2023
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• Premium Statistic Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE 2023
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Travel product bookings in the UAE 2023

Travel product bookings in the UAE as of March 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE as of March 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE as of March 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE as of March 2023

Hotel supply

• Premium Statistic Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022
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Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022

Total number of hotels and similar establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2022

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Total number of rooms in hotels and similar establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Share of hotel key supply UAE 2023, by hotel class

Share of hotel key supply in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, by hotel class

Hospitality indicators

• Premium Statistic Revenue of hotel industry UAE 2022 by type
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022
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• Premium Statistic Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022
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Revenue of hotel industry UAE 2022 by type

Revenue of hotel industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022, by type (in million UAE dirham)

Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Revenue per available room of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate (in UAE dirhams)

Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Change in revenue per available room of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate

Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022

Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels and similar accommodation establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2000 to 2022

Occupancy rate in the UAE 2022, by emirate

Occupancy rate of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate

Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022

Average length of stay in hotels and similar accommodation establishments in the United Arab Emirates from 2002 to 2022

Average daily rate in UAE 2022, by emirate

Average daily rate of hotels in the United Arab Emirates as of 2022, by emirate (in UAE dirhams)

• Premium Statistic Number of pipeline luxury hotels GCC 2023, by country
• Premium Statistic Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class
• Premium Statistic Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026
• Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase
• Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

Number of pipeline luxury hotels in the Gulf Cooperation Council as of 2023, by country

Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class

Share of rooms of pipeline hotel projects in the United Arab Emirates between 2023 and 2028, by hotel class

Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026

Forecasted revenue of the hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates from 2021 to 2026 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase

Distribution of hotel projects in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by phase

Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

Distribution of hotel projects in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from 2022 to 2025, by planned completion date

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Dubai welcomed 17.15 million international tourists in 2023, a surge of 19.4 percent

According to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) , Dubai experienced a record-breaking year in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors. This represents a significant growth of 19.4 percent compared to the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022 and surpasses the previous record of 16.73 million visitors in 2019. The growth aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to solidify Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, as well as the best city to visit, live, and work in.

Dubai’s success in attracting tourists was further recognized when it achieved the No.1 ranking as the global destination for the third consecutive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, making it the first city to receive this prestigious accolade. These achievements reflect the vibrant and diverse offerings of the city, supported by world-class infrastructure, exceptional service, and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors. Dubai caters to travelers of all budgets and preferences, and its year-round calendar of business, leisure, and sporting events continues to attract international visitors.

Tourism and economic growth

The performance of the tourism sector in Dubai closely mirrors the emirate’s 3.3 percent GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023, highlighting the mutually beneficial relationship between tourism and economic prosperity. Accommodation and food services activities recorded an impressive growth rate of 11.1 percent, solidifying Dubai’s position as a global leader in tourism.

Dubai’s international visitor performance has outpaced global tourism trends, as indicated by the latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (U.N.W.T.O.). By the end of 2023, international tourism worldwide had reached 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels. However, the Middle East region surpassed pre-pandemic levels with a remarkable 22 percent increase in visitation compared to 2019, leading the global recovery in relative terms.

Key regions maintain momentum

Dubai’s strong tourism performance in 2023 solidified its position as a top travel destination for visitors from both traditional and emerging markets. In terms of regional distribution, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions contributed a combined 28 percent of the share, reflecting Dubai’s appeal as a trusted and preferred destination for visitors from neighboring markets. Western Europe accounted for 19 percent of arrivals, while South Asia represented 18 percent. The CIS/Eastern Europe region accounted for 13 percent of arrivals, and North Asia and Southeast Asia contributed 9 percent. The Americas accounted for 7 percent, Africa 4 percent, and Australasia 2 percent of arrivals.

Hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all metrics

Dubai’s hospitality sector, which plays a crucial role in the emirate’s destination promise and overall tourism industry growth, continued to excel, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across all key hospitality metrics. This includes occupancy rates, occupied room nights, guests’ length of stay, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Occupancy remains among the highest in the world

In 2023, the average occupancy rate for Dubai’s hotel sector stood at 77.4 percent, placing it among the highest in the world. This marked an increase from 72.9 percent in 2022 and exceeded the average occupancy rate of 75.3 percent in 2019. Achieving such a high occupancy level is notable considering the overall 19 percent increase in room supply in 2023 compared to 2019.

Milestone 150,000 room keys achieved

By the end of December 2023, Dubai’s hotel inventory reached a milestone of 150,291 rooms across 821 establishments. This represented growth compared to the 146,496 rooms available at the end of December 2022 across 804 establishments and the 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. This achievement reflects the continuous growth and success of the hospitality industry in Dubai.

Occupied room nights surge to record high

In 2023, the number of occupied room nights in Dubai reached a record high of 41.70 million, marking an 11 percent increase compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represented a substantial 30 percent rise from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 32.11 million occupied room nights.

Reflecting the commitment of the city and the hospitality sector to offer competitive pricing, the ADR in 2023 remained at AED536, matching the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector’s robust performance is further evident in its RevPAR growth, with a 6 percent increase compared to 2022 (AED415 vs. AED391) and a 33 percent growth over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). The average length of stay for guests in 2023 was 3.8 nights, a 10 percent increase from 3.4 nights in 2019.

Global liveability hub

Dubai’s reputation as a global liveability hub continues to soar, earning recognition in various areas for its unique blend of opportunities, safety, and world-class amenities in a vibrant and dynamic setting.

Dubai tops the list for relocation and remote work

According to a report by financial services provider Remitly, Dubai was hailed as the number one city in the world to relocate to in 2023, highlighting its appeal as a preferred destination for individuals seeking new opportunities and a high quality of life. Additionally, property consultancy Savills identified Dubai as the best city in the world for remote workers, emphasizing its conducive environment for professionals embracing the virtual working lifestyle.

Dubai’s global appeal and recognition

Dubai’s status as a thriving global hub was further highlighted in Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, which named Dubai the world’s second-ranked city destination, showcasing its popularity among international travelers. The city’s recognition as one of the top 10 cities in the Global Power City Index, as reported by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies in Japan, further reinforces its stature as a key player on the global stage.

Read more: Dubai’s tourism sector key to economic expansion, says Sheikh Mohammed

Global partnerships and campaigns

To showcase Dubai to the world, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) entered into a landmark collaboration with Spanish football giants Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. This multi-year agreement brings together two iconic brands and builds on Real Madrid’s longstanding partnership with Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates. Additionally, Dubai Parks and Resorts™ will be home to the first Real Madrid-themed park, Real Madrid World.

Dubai also hosted record-breaking stunts, such as Red Bull Air Race Champion Luke Czepiela landing his plane on the helipad of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, inspiring visitors and residents to push boundaries. American Brian Grubb performed a world-first wakeskate and base jump at the Address Beach Resort, showcasing Dubai’s spirit of achieving new heights.

Furthermore, Dubai established a strong and ongoing partnership with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. His performance, “Hans Zimmer Live,” marked his first Middle East performance at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena during the region’s longest-running Dubai Shopping Festival. This collaboration goes beyond a typical concert, as Zimmer created “Sounds of Dubai,” a unique musical piece capturing the city’s vibe, highlighting Dubai’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

International events destination

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) positions Dubai as an international entertainment hub, hosting a diverse array of year-round events, with the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival leading the way. DFRE’s annual Retail Calendar covers arts, books, food, sports, music, concerts, heritage, culture, shopping, fashion, and retail promotions offering life-changing prizes to lucky residents and visitors.

As the leading destination for business events in the region, Dubai attracts a wide range of business travelers through its calendar of annual exhibitions and trade shows, which are among the largest in the world. Major events in 2023 included Gulfood, Gitex Global Dubai, the International Boat Show, and Arabian Travel Market. Dubai Business Events, part of DTCM and the city’s official convention bureau, secured a record 349 bids to host international conferences, congresses, meetings, and incentive travel programs over the coming years, ensuring continued growth in this space.

Culinary innovation and recognition

Dubai’s culinary scene continues to thrive, making it a modern capital for food enthusiasts. With an impressive array of 13,000 restaurants and cafes, the city offers diverse cuisines and unique dining experiences. In 2023, the second edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai was released, featuring 90 restaurants, including three with two stars, eleven with one star, and several other recognitions such as Green Stars, Bib Gourmands, and Michelin selected restaurants. Two homegrown Dubai restaurants, Trèsind Studio and Orfali Bros Bistro, were included in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List for 2023, showcasing the city’s culinary excellence. Additionally, the Gault&Millau UAE 2023 guide featured 113 Dubai restaurants.

Commitment to sustainability

Dubai is at the forefront of sustainability efforts, aligning with global objectives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) drive, initiated by the Dubai Department of Tourism (DET), supports the hospitality industry through various programs. As part of DST, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp was launched in July 2023, recognizing 70 hotels that adhere to the 19 Sustainability Requirements set by DET. This stamp serves as validation of a hotel’s dedication to sustainable practices, accelerating efforts to achieve sustainability goals. Dubai also introduced initiatives like Dubai Can, promoting reusable bottles and establishing water fountains throughout the city for refilling. Another notable project is the Dubai Reef, one of the world’s largest marine reef developments, contributing to increased fish stocks, sustainable fishing, food security, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced marine biodiversity. DET also relaunched the Carbon Calculator tool to measure the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. The hosting of COP28, the U.N. Climate Change Conference , further boosted Dubai’s sustainability profile.

Global destination for cruise and yacht tourism

Dubai’s cruise tourism sector plays a vital role in transforming the city into one of the world’s top destinations for business and leisure. The 2023-2024 cruise season commenced with the arrival of Mein Schiff 2 in October, marking an exciting period for cruise enthusiasts. Key cruise hubs like Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour offer convenient access to Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the city’s cultural heritage. Dubai’s status as a cruise hub was recognized internationally when it received the Best Port award at the CRUCEROADICTO AWARDS in Spain.

Dubai’s appeal extends to yacht tourism, with 15 marinas and over 3,600 berths accommodating pleasure crafts, superyachts, and gigayachts. The emirate’s strategic location provides easy access to stunning yachting destinations along the UAE’s coastline.

Initiatives for growth

In 2023, Dubai unveiled the Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches, aiming to increase the length of public beaches by 400 percent by 2040 and enhance the services offered by 300 percent by 2025. This plan will enhance Dubai’s tourism offerings. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, another significant initiative, will double green and leisure areas, preserve cultural and urban heritage, and provide sustainable mobility options. Over the next two decades, the plan will increase the total space dedicated to hotels and tourist activities by over 100 percent, further expanding Dubai’s tourism sector.

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Blog / infographics / DUBAI TOURISM STATISTICS 2024 (INFOGRAPHICS)

DUBAI TOURISM STATISTICS 2024 (INFOGRAPHICS)

Posted by gmi blogger posted in infographics.

The post-pandemic world has seen many changes and struggles especially for the tourist sector.

Dubai has bravely faced these challenges through its innovation and dedication.

In 2024, the city’s exceptional performance in tourism has been underscored by various accolades like the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024 (third year in a row) and being ranked as the world’s No.1 city destination in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 by Euromonitor International.

These achievements are a result of programmes by the Dubai government like the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

These initiatives aim to channel Dubai’s charm along with its world-class amenities and infrastructure to attract both visitors and workers.

In the past year, the city has entered into collaborations with icons like Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (opening a real-madrid theme park) and the artistic genius of Hans Zimmer who created “Sounds of Dubai” (a musical piece that shows the city’s vibe). 

It has also graciously hosted several global events including Gulfood and Gitex Global Dubai drawing crowds from far and wide.

All these have helped in reaffirming the city’s position as a top tourist destination.

Let’s look at the tourism statistics of 2024 and try to understand the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2024 (Key Points)

Total International Visitors in the month of January 2024 alone is 1.77 Million

According to the research done by GMI Team , a total of 17.15 million people visited Dubai between January and December 2023.

There was an approximate 19.43% increase in international visitors to Dubai in 2023 compared to 2022 (14.36 million).

Dubai boasts a substantial accommodation infrastructure, with 821 hotels catering to tourists.

Visitors to Dubai have access to a vast array of accommodation options, with 150,291 rooms available across the city.

The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai is 536 AED, offering tourists a range of choices to suit their budgets.

Accommodation Available in Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023]

As tourism in Dubai grows, so does its hospitality industry.

In 2023, the emirate saw a significant rise in both the number of hotels and available rooms.

The total number of hotels for accommodation rose to 821, up from 804 in 2022 and 755 in 2021.

This represents a growth of approximately 2.1% from 2022 and a substantial 8.7% increase from 2021.

The number of available rooms in Dubai also saw a steady rise over these years.

In 2023, there were 150,291 rooms available, an increase from 146,496 in 2022 and 137,950 in 2021.

This indicates a growth of about 2.6% from 2022 and a notable 8.9% rise from 2021.

The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai remained constant at 536 AED in 2022 and 2023, showing a commitment towards competitive pricing.

However, there was a significant increase of 18.8% from the 2021 rate of 451 AED.

These figures highlight that Dubai’s hospitality industry is growing in tandem with the rise in tourism.

Top Sources of Visitors to Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023] *

Dubai was buzzing with tourists in 2023, and guess what?

India took the lead, sending over 2.2 million eager explorers to the city!

They made up a whopping 12.83%(2,200,345) of all visitors.

Oman wasn’t far behind, with its army of adventurers making up 9.13%(1,565,795) of the crowd.

Saudi Arabia, who added their flair to the mix, accounted for 8.47%(1,452,605) of visitors.

The UK, Russia, and the US brought in their fair share of tourists too, adding to the vibrant tapestry of cultures.

The UK contributed 7.26%(1,245,090) of the total visitors, while Russia accounted for 5.28%(905,520)  and the US added 4.11%(704,865) to the total.  

Germany, France, Pakistan, and Iran all had their moments in the Dubai sun.

Germany’s tourists represented 2.94%(504,210) of the total, while France made up 2.53%(433,895).

Pakistan and Iran also played significant roles, with Pakistan contributing 2.48%(425,320) and Iran bringing in approximately 2.28%(391,020).

Additionally, a multitude of other countries collectively accounted for a substantial portion of Dubai’s tourist arrivals- 42.69%(7,321,335).

Dubai truly is a melting pot of cultures and experiences, drawing in people from all corners of the globe.

Note: * Calculations made by the GMI research team based on growth percentages.

Source of Visitors by Region [Jan to Dec 2023]

Dubai’s tourism scene is truly a global affair, with visitors pouring in from all corners of the world.

The reasons could be many, such as the emirate’s sunny landscapes, towering skyscrapers, renowned shopping, and entertainment offerings.

Western Europe takes the lead with a solid 19% share, sending over 3.25 million tourists.

South Asia follows closely behind, contributing an impressive 18% share, that is, over 3 million visitors.

The GCC region, including neighboring countries, makes up 16% of the crowd, with approximately 2.74 million visitors.

Eastern Europe, MENA, and North Asia & South East Asia each play significant roles, adding 13% (22,29,500), 12% (20,58,000) and 9% (15,43,500) respectively.

The Americas contribute 7% (12,00,500), Africa 4% (68,6000), and Australasia 2% (34,3000).

All these figures showcase Dubai’s global appeal as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

International Tourists in Dubai [Jan to Dec 2023]

Dubai’s allure as a top tourist destination has steadily grown over the years, with a notable surge in international visitors.

In 2023, the city welcomed a staggering 17.15 million international tourists, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s 14.36 million arrivals.

This upward trend reflects Dubai’s continued efforts to attract visitors from across the globe.

Looking back, the numbers tell an intriguing story: in 2021, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Dubai still managed to host 7.28 million international tourists, showcasing its resilience and appeal as a travel destination.

And if we rewind to 2019, we see a peak of 16.73 million tourists, highlighting Dubai’s long-standing popularity among travelers.

Over the years, Dubai has consistently drawn in millions of visitors, solidifying its position as a premier tourist hotspot in the Middle East.

With each passing year, the city’s tourism industry continues to flourish, offering travelers unforgettable experiences and memories to cherish.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2023 (Key Points)

According to the research done by GMI Team , a total of 15.37 million people visited Dubai between January and November 2023.

Of all the countries, India contributed the highest number of visitors to Dubai in January-October 2023, with 2.0 million.

Dubai welcomed 8.55 million international visitors in the fiirst half of 2023.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q1 2023 is 4.67 million.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q2 2023 is 3.88 million.

Dubai’s total international visitors for Q3 2023 is 3.85 million.

The majority of Dubai’s international visitors in Q1 2023 came from India (612K visitors).

Total number of international visitors in 2022 was 14.36 million.

Dubai saw an increase of 7.08 million visitors in 2022, which is a 97% increase from 2021.

Number of hotels available for accommodation in Dubai as of the end of 2022 were 804, with 146,496 rooms.

Average daily rate for a hotel room in Dubai is 536 AED.

India was the major source of visitors in 2022 with 1.8 Million visitors.

GCC and Western Europe were the two regions that contributed the highest percentage of visitors, each contributing 21%.

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2023 [Infographics]

Accommodation Available in Dubai [Jan – Dec 2022]

From luxurious resorts like The Ritz Carlton to affordable hostels like Backpacker 16, anyone planning to visit Dubai can easily find accommodations based on their budget and preferences. By the end of 2022, there were 804 hotels available with 146,496 rooms. The average daily hotel room rate in Dubai is 536 AED.

Top Sources of Visitors to Dubai [Jan – Dec 2022]

Based on our Dubai tourism data research, India is one of the top sources of visitors to Dubai, with 1,842,000 Indians touring the region in 2022.

Oman is in the second position with 1,311,000 visitors, and Saudi Arabia occupies the third position with 1,216,000.

Source of Visitors by Region [Jan – Dec 2022]

Looking at the region-wise distribution of tourists in 2022, we can see that the GCC and Western Europe together supplied 42% of the total visitors.

The second position is occupied by South Asia with 17%, and MENA comes in the third position with 12% visitors.

International Tourists in Dubai [2015 -2022]

According to GMI research Team, Dubai has seen a steady influx of international tourists over the past several years, except between 2019 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

While 16.73 million visitors came in 2019, the number drastically reduced to 7.28 million in 2021.

However, with the help of strict COVID guidelines and attractive marketing strategies, ‘safe’ travel was once again introduced to international visitors. Thus, by 2022, the number had again risen to 14.36 million.

Top 5 International Destinations

According to Travel Medium , Dubai is the fourth most visited city in the world after Bangkok, Paris and London. Bangkok ranked first on the list, and has an average visitor count of more than 22 million.

Paris, the second most visited city in the world, attracts visitors with its classic buildings, arching Parisian bridges and elegant boulevards. The city has an average of 19.10 million visitors.

Renowned for its Gothic architecture, London is the 3rd most visited city in the world. The city attracts more than 19 million tourists.

With around 16 million international visitors, Dubai ranks fourth on the list. The city is popular for its highrises, mega-malls, and desert trips.

Singapore comes fifth on this list with around 15 million visitors. This green and innovative city is a tourist hotspot with its unique hawker centers, street markets and fine dining restaurants. 

Top Tourist Destinations in Dubai

Dubai is a dream city with the tallest skyscrapers, shopping malls, mammoth aquariums, indoor ski slopes and a number of other tourist spots. The city attracts thousands of visitors every day. 

As per the list of most popular tourist destinations in Dubai by Trip Advisor, the Burj Khalifa is the most visited site. The list claims that the Burj Khalifa is more popular than the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall as well as the Dubai Miracle Garden. 

Burj Al Arab, the most popular luxury hotel in Dubai, came first on the list of ‘Top Sites To See In Dubai’ on Lonely Planet, another travel portal. In this list, the Burj Khalifa ranks fourth after IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Museum.

Most Famous Buildings & Artificial Islands in Dubai

Being the favourite tourist destination and the most searched place in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is, without doubt, the most famous building.

Burj Al Arab is the next most famous building, followed by Atlantis the Palm, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Cayan Tower, and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

The world’s largest artificial island, Palm Jumeirah is in Dubai. The island is shaped like a palm tree and is filled with luxury hotels, beachfront villas, and apartments. World Islands, an archipelago of small artificial islands, is located off the coast of Dubai. 

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2022

• Total International Visitors from Jan to Nov 2022 is 12.82 Million.
• India was the highest number of international visitors in Jan – Nov 2022, with 1.6M visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to Oct 2022 is 11.40 Million.
• India was the highest number of international visitors in Jan – Oct 2022, with 1.4M visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to Sep 2022 is 10.12 Million.
• India was the major source of tourists in Jan – Sep 2022, with 1.2M visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to June 2022 is 7.12 Million.
• India was the major source of tourists in Jan – June 2022, with 858K visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to May 2022 is 6.17 Million.
• India was the major source of tourists in Jan – May 2022, with 707K visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to April 2022 is 5.10 Million.
• Oman was the major source of tourists in Jan – April 2022, with 590K visitors.
• Total International Visitors from Jan to March 2022 is 3.97 Million.
• Oman was the major source of tourists in Jan – March 2022, with 463K visitors
• Total International Visitors from Jan to Feb 2022 is 2.19 Million.
• Saudi Arabia was the major source of tourists in Jan – Feb 2022, with 194K visitors
• Total Visitors in the Month of January 2022 alone 979.7K
• Saudi Arabia was the major source of tourists in January 2022, with 105K visitors
• Total International Visitors in 2021 – 7.28 Million
• Total Number of Hotels for Accommodation 2021 – 755
• Available Rooms in Dubai 2021 – 137,950
• Average Daily Rate for Rooms in Dubai 2021 – 451 AED

Accommodation Available in Dubai (Jan – Dec 2021)

With hotels dotted everywhere in Dubai, finding a good place to stay is no big deal. From five star resorts to budget hotels, you can choose accommodation based on your travel preferences. 

As of 2021, there are 755 hotels and nearly 137,950 rooms available for tourists in Dubai. The average rate of rooms is AED 451 per day. 

67% is their average occupancy level and the average length of stay is 4.6 nights.

International Tourists in Dubai

In 2015, the total number of international tourists accounted for 14.2 million. The figure rose gradually over four years, touching 16.73 million in 2019. However, the pandemic put a damper on the tourism sector, causing a sudden plunge in the annual visitations. According to official estimates, only 5.51 million tourists came to Dubai in 2020. Now, the UAE government is taking necessary measures to revive the tourism sector again.

Top Sources of visitors to Dubai (Jan-Dec 2021)

The UAE tourism sector under the effective guidance of the government undertook ‘revival’ strategies to open its doors to visitors. Innovative solutions were designed to adjust to the ‘new’ normal and make the visitors feel safe while travelling. These efforts to rekindle the tourism sector did not go in vain. 

 Around 7.28 million foreign nationals visited Dubai between Jan and Dec 2021. Of which, nearly 0.91 million were Indians. India was (and continues to be) the primary source of visitors to Dubai and UAE. Saudi Arabia came in second with 0.49 million visitors followed by Russia with 0.44 million. You can check the chart for the top ten sources of visitors to Dubai.

Sources of Visitors by Region (Jan – Dec 2021)

When we take the region-wise distribution into account, from January to December 2021, Western Europeans dominated the tourist category with 22% of the total visitors. South Asians followed close with 18%. The third position was occupied by Eastern Europeans with 15%. While 13% of tourists were from the MENA and GCC region and 8% of tourists came from the African region.

Most Searched ‘Dubai’ Places on Google

Unsurprisingly, Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, is the most searched place on Google. Nearly 1 million people search Burj Khalifa every month, which is almost  6 times higher than Burj Al Arab, the second spot with 1,60,000 searches. The Dubai mall is the third most searched place in Dubai with 99,000 searches per month and Global Village comes in fourth place with 52,000 monthly searches. Moreover, 35,000 people search for Ski Dubai, 25,000 people search for Dubai Frame and 15,000 people search for Dubai Miracle Garden every month. 

Events that Promote Tourism in Dubai

Apart from the architectural marvels, Dubai hosts a lot of festivals and events every year. Dubai Shopping Festival, Dhow Race, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai World Cup, etc. are some of them. Every year these events attract thousands of tourists from all corners of the world. 

The year 2021 saw the grand opening of the most-awaited Dubai Expo 2020. Let’s take a look at the two main attractions of 2021 that generated the maximum visitations.

Dubai Expo 2020 

The Dubai Expo 2020 was a 6-month long event that started on 1st October 2021 and ended on 31st March 2022. 24 million visitors from over 178 countries travelled to witness the breathtaking architecture, groundbreaking technological advances and thrilling live performances staged at the expo For the first time in world expo history, each country showcased itself through a pavilion. The theme of the expo was Connecting Minds and Creating the Future. 

For those who could not visit the Expo and those wishing to revisit their experiences, the Virtualexpodubai.com became a boon. This first-time initiative allows people to indulge in a virtual tour of the Expo. To date, this platform has received 250 million visits with the majority of traffic from India, China and the UAE.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2021

The 27th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival started on 17th December 2020 and continued till 30th January 2021. The shoppers were enthralled with the power-packed performances of international celebrities. The celebrations kickstarted at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai with a performance by Balqees Fathi and Mohamed Hamaki. 

An impressive collection by local artisans and mouthwatering delights by food trucks filled the hunger and impressed the minds of the visitors. The DSF Drone Light Show at Bluewaters Island returned this year with more dazzle and pomp. Dubai Lights also debuted this year throughout the city. It included 7 interactive lighting installations. Not to forget the huge discounted offers from leading brands that welcomed shoppers. 

Many visual delights like aerial acrobatics enthralled the visitors. Harry Potter’s magical world and Madagascar were also recreated here. To sum up, the DSF was truly an unforgettable experience for shoppers and visitors alike. If you missed out this year, you can be a part of the next DSF, which is expected to take place from 15th December 2022 to 29th January 2023.

Global Tourism Campaigns

Dubai has been engaging global audiences through international campaigns for several years. The notable ones are ‘Dubai Presents’ and ‘Stay more Pay less’. While the former promotes the city’s attractions through movie-style trailers featuring Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, the latter shows Dubai as a summer destination and draws people to the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival. These campaigns are designed to portray Dubai as the destination of choice for all kinds of travellers from across the globe.

Modes of Transportation

Dubai city is the most travel-friendly city since it provides several means of affordable transportation for tourists. 

For long-distance travel, the metro is the best option for tourists. Metro trains are available every few minutes. If you are staying in Dubai for a long duration, you can buy a red NOL card. You can recharge this card with a sufficient amount of money and use it for any public transport facility.

If you want to travel along the coastal route then you can take the tram. The tram in Dubai has 11 stations and runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.

The bus network in Dubai covers 87% of the urban area and has 1,518 buses. The internal lines connect to metro stations and the intercity lines can be used to travel to another emirate.

The taxi is the cheapest mode of transportation available to tourists. However, you may have to face the peak hour traffic, sometimes. But with proper planning, this situation can be avoided to a good extent.

Various modes of Marine transport are available to tourists for a comfortable trip around Dubai. These include the water bus, the Dubai ferry, Abra and the water taxi. 

• Abra is the most traditional transportation facility that is part of the city’s heritage (you can opt for a traditional Abra or an air-conditioned/petrol heritage Abra).
• A ferry can take you on a striking journey along the coastline and give you a view of the historical sites alongside.
• The water taxi is the perfect alternative to the city’s busy traffic. Tourists can either explore the impressive skyline between Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina or the heritage between Creek and Dubai Water Canal.
• The water bus provides a comfortable air-conditioned ride for tourists to enjoy the charms of the scenic Dubai Marina area.

If you visit the official website of the Government of Dubai, you can access the timetables of the various transports. You also have the option of entering the ‘From’ and ‘To’ sections under: ‘Plan your Journey’ to view the time taken by each transport service. 

Awards and Recognitions – A Testimony to Dubai’s Travel-Friendliness

• Julius Baer’s Global Wealth and Lifestyle report placed Dubai as no.1 in the MEASA region and no.12 globally for providing exceptional experiences and maintaining an outstanding quality of life.
• The Global Talent Competitive Index placed Dubai in the 3rd position as the most desirable place to live and work.
• Gallup Global Law and Order gave the first position to the UAE in terms of night safety and the second position in terms of overall safety.
• At the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, Dubai was voted as the No.1 destination for ‘City Lovers’ and the No. 4 destination for ‘Food Lovers’.

Visa Initiatives

The Dubai Government has taken many initiatives to make travel a hassle-free experience for visitors. As part of this, it has introduced several easy entry procedures for travelers like

• Five-Year Multi-Entry Visa – Employees of international companies can access this visa. 
• Golden Visa Initiative – Retired professionals, acclaimed personalities, investors and entrepreneurs can access this visa.

These steps were undertaken to encourage people to extend their visits and also multiply their visits to Dubai.

Post-Covid Travel Requirements

The Dubai government has issued certain travel requirements from 26 February 2022 for tourists to create a safe environment for travelers while they enjoy the city. All passengers arriving from any country should present one of the three documents mentioned below:

• Vaccination certificate with a QR code that proves they are fully vaccinated. Vaccines should be approved by the WHO or the UAE.
• Negative PCR test with a QR code given by an approved health provider. It should be issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection to the flight time.
• A Valid medical certificate with a QR code given by relevant authorities that shows you have recovered from Covid-19 within a month before the date of travel.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan is an initiative to turn Dubai into a city that is the preferred destination for businesses, tourists and investors. These friendly and strategic steps are definitely yielding results as visitors continue to throng the city to witness its delights. Below you can read the Tourism Statistics for Dubai 2019

Dubai Tourism Statistics 2019 (Infographics)

Rooms for Everyone

In 2020, in spite of the pandemic, Dubai had a whopping 5.51 million visitors from around the world. In addition to a plethora of sights and delights that attracted these high number of people, Dubai is also well-equipped in terms of accommodations for dealing with this kind of inflow. The emirate has more than  740 hotels , offering a total of  127,814 rooms . These rooms are available across a whole spectrum of price ranges, catering to everyone from the luxury tours to the budget traveler. The average daily rate for rooms in Dubai is  343 AED .

International visitors for the first 6 months of 2019 (Jan-Jun) is recorded as  8.36 million .

Popular Places

Being home the tallest skyscraper in the world to the biggest shopping mall, Dubai is literally a wonder. These prominent tourist hotspots attract thousands of visitors daily. Dubai had attracted a record 16.7 million tourists in 2019 – an increase of 5.1 % compared to the previous year –

According to a  list  of most popular tourist sites in Dubai by  Trip Advisor , the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building is the most visited site in Dubai. The list claims that the that the Burj Khalifa is more popular than Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain as well as the Dubai Miracle Garden.

Burj Al Arab – the famous hotel of celebrities, was at the top of the  list  of ‘Top Sites To See In Dubai’ on  Lonely Planet  – another travel portal. In their list, Dubai Museum and IMG Worlds of Adventure rank ahead of the Burj Khalifa.  

These are the top 10 destinations according to the list:

1. burj khalifa.

Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, standing at a height of 828 meters. It is a mixed-use structure that hosts the Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Fountain, etc. besides numerous hotels and residential apartments.

2. The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the most popular free tourist attraction in the city. It is built on Burj Khalifa Lake in downtown Dubai. The fountain shoots water sprays as high as 15 meters, illuminated by over 6000 lights, color projectors, and lasers.

3. The Dubai Mall

Raised in Downtown Dubai, this is the largest shopping mall in the city, home to over 1000 stores and restaurants. The mall offers a number of tourist destinations including an ice rink, multiplex cinema, and an aquarium.

4. Dubai Miracle Garden

Open to visitors in 2011, this ambitious project began with the aim to be the world’s largest garden. The Miracle Garden is a seasonal attraction, open from October to April each year. It is located in Al Barsha South.

5. Global Village

The Global Village is a seasonal shopping extravaganza where multiple countries come together to showcase their regional culture, cuisines, etc. It is claimed to be the world’s largest tourism, shopping, leisure entertainment program. Global Village is open to visitors during the winter months in Dubai.

6. Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is the latest addition to Dubai’s already awe-inspiring line of tourist attractions. This impressive feat of engineering has two 150 meter towers connected by Sky Deck, a 93-meter bridge. Dubai Frame is located in Zabeel Park.

7. Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

This large waterpark is a part of the Atlantis Resort, Palm Jumeirah. The park hosts a private beach, river rides, and numerous waterslides. The park opens daily at 10 am and closes at sunset.

Lamer is a popular beachfront tourist destination in Jumeirah. Visitors can indulge in a wide range of leisure facilities like restaurants, shops, cafes, and more. Lamer attracts tourists for its magnificent street art and industrial-inspired zone.

9. Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is located on its own island near Jumeirah Beach. This ultra-luxury hotel offers premium suites overlooking the sea besides fine dining restaurants. The magnificent hotel has a guest list of VIPs and celebrities from across the world.

10. Ski Dubai

This is an indoor ski resort spread across a large area of 22,500 sq km. Professional instruction is available for beginners, while all equipment and clothing are included in the entry fee. For non-skiers, there is a large snow park offering wide-ranging activities for families and children

Dubai Tourism – Some Interesting Facts

• IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai, is the world’s largest indoor-themed entertainment center.
• The Dubai Aquarium Tank, with a 10 million liters capacity is the largest suspended aquarium in the world.
• Around 85% of Dubai’s Population Is Foreign
• The Emirates Mall in Dubai allows you to ski indoors!
• Almost all popular food chains in the world have a branch in Dubai
• Dubai has air-conditioned shelters for those waiting for public transport
• Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport, is the world’s largest airport terminal
• The world’s longest automated metro (75 km) is in Dubai
• Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest flower garden.

World’s Busiest Airports

The Hub of Global Air Travel

Dubai’s global popularity could be attributed to its geographical location. The city is located in a conveniently central location that is equidistant from both the east and the west. This makes it an important hub for travellers from Asia travelling to Europe and North America.

In 2018, Dubai International Airport welcomed  89.1 million  travellers, making it the  3rd most popular airport in the world  behind Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and the Capital International Airport in Beijing. During the  first half of 2019 , Dubai International Airport has already seen  41.28 million visitors . Last year, in spite of the travel restrictions, the DXB had 25.9 million visitors. 

Top 10 Sources of Visitors for Dubai

Visitor Nationality

The UAE government’s new policies to boost tourism have worked like a charm, and the city has played host to tourists from all over the globe. Unsurprisingly, Indians were atop the list of nationalities visiting the city.

The most number of visitors to Dubai in the last year came from India. A total of 865,000 Indians visited the city between January to December. Saudi Arabia was second behind India with 400,000 visitors and the UK was in the third position just ahead of Russia, followed by Oman, Pakistan, the USA, and China.

International Tourist in Dubai

Urban Paradise

‘The City of Gold’ has been quickly climbing the list of the most explored tourist destinations in the world. While London and Bangkok have been shuttling in the number one position, Dubai is likely to take over the spot in the coming year according to a recent article in the Telegraph.

It is the only city from the MENA region in the top 10 of this list. Bangkok, with 21.9 million visitors, is at the top of this list; followed by  London and Paris with 20.42 and 17.95 million visitors respectively.

Most Searched ‘Dubai’ Places On Google Search

What’s Popular On The Web

Besides being on top of the list of most popular tourist sites in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa also dominates the internet. The famous tower accounts for nearly 1 million Google searches every month, nearly 4 times higher than Burj Al Arab at 2nd spot with 246,000 searches. The Dubai Mall is the 3rd most Googled destination in Dubai, while Global Village is at the fourth spot with 135,000 monthly searches. The newly opened Dubai Frame has been extremely popular on the internet with 74,000 searches every month.

Almost all the prominent hotels and resorts from the world over have opened up a branch in the city in recent years. The UAE government is offering visa-on-arrival for tourists from more and more countries as they expand capacity for tourism in the city. 

The Expo 2020 coming up in October and running till March 2022, would be a catalyst for tourism growth. The Expo will further enhance the national economy besides boosting retail and real estate activity as the Covid-19 immunization program progresses.

2020 will be a crucial year for the tourism sector in Dubai. Several huge projects started during this administration are expected to be completed including the Museum of the Future, Jewel of the Creek, Dubai Water Canal Project and several more. The city will also host its first World Expo in 2020. It is definitely exciting times ahead for the Dubai Tourism Sector.

Looking for strategies to make the most of the tourism boom in Dubai? Think digital, think social, think GMI. Reach out to us and let us chart out the right  digital marketing strategy  for you. 

Find out our Dubai Tourism Statistics Infographics in 2018.

Disclaimer:  GMI acknowledges that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented on this infographic. The information represented is based on information researched from various sources on the internet. We are not liable for any errors, financial loss, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of, or reliance on, the information herein.

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Home Economics, Policy & Regulation United Arab Emirates: Trade, Finance, And Tourism Drive Economic Growth

Economics, Policy & Regulation

United Arab Emirates: Trade, Finance, And Tourism Drive Economic Growth

April 4, 2024

Author: Valentina Pasquali

Dubai and the other emirates have made globalization work in the Gulf by leveraging oil revenue to create a more open, diversified economy.

Good governance, political foresight, and fortuitous geostrategic developments have produced extraordinary growth in Dubai and the other states of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since the Covid-19 pandemic. But does this federation has what it takes to sustain its newfound role as a global trade, finance and tourism hub amid increasing regional competition, the looming energy transition and the push-and-pull of global politics?

Close observers are optimistic that, with the right doses of wisdom and luck, Dubai and the rest of the UAE can continue riding the crest of the current wave.

“Dubai has done an extremely good job at marketing itself,” says Oliver Cornock, editor-in-chief at consultancy Oxford Business Group (OBG). “It has complemented that with a very clear open-for-business set of policies,” including free zones enjoying significant tax and foreign ownership advantages, ease of getting in and out and “increasingly, an environment where people want to live, work and play.”

Riding High

According to government data obtained by Bloomberg, nearly 412,000 business licenses were active in Dubai last year, 30% more than during the previous year and a whopping 75% rise from 2021. Last year also saw the largest volume of new company registrations in the UAE’s preeminent special economic zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): 1,451 more, for a 34% year-on-year (YoY) increase, according to the DIFC.

Overall, Dubai welcomed more than 100,000 new residents in 2023, following an influx of some 71,600 in 2022, according to figures from Dubai Statistics Center. The arrivals are propelling a dramatic rise in real estate prices, which have soared to an all-time high.

Dubai’s numbers stand out, but positive trend lines are visible in the other six UAE emirates, in particular Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development reported in January that active business licenses increased nearly 11% from 2022 to 2023, for a new total of more than 143,600. This helped drive 8.6% non-oil economic growth during the first nine months of last year, according to the Statistics Centre–Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority reported the sector’s best year ever in 2023, with a 24% jump in international arrivals over 2022 and a record 1.2 million overnight visitors, up 8% on an annual basis.

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows across the UAE rose 10% YoY in 2022, reaching nearly $23 billion, while global FDI fell 12%.

“The pandemic was a very important stress test for many economies,” says Bernardo Bortolotti, executive director of the Transition Investment Lab at New York University in Abu Dhabi. “The UAE has really proven an amazing degree of resilience.”

Over some five decades, forward-looking leadership has managed to steer the federation from its formation in 1971 to oil juggernaut to regional financial center. Oil-related revenue filled public coffers and propelled the rise of a sophisticated financial management industry.

According to Global SWF, as of March 2024, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is among the top 10 largest sovereign wealth funds in the world by AUM. The Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mubadala, and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company are in the top 50, followed by Emirates Investment Authority. An abundance of foreign players rounds up the UAE’s highly developed financial landscape.

Pandemic And Recovery

The Covid-19 pandemic hit the UAE hard. Outward-facing, trade-oriented Dubai saw its GDP shrink nearly 11% in 2020 while the federation’s national economy contracted by some 5%.

Still, there were silver linings. “Dubai was quite aggressive in the vaccination program,” says James Swanston, an economist specializing in the Middle East and North Africa at Capital Economics. “It very quickly approved the big vaccines … and kept up very stringent lockdown measures.”

Once they relaxed social-distancing measures and opened the economy, the authorities solved two problems at once by making Dubai an international vaccination destination. New visa options targeting wealthy investors, digital nomads, and even affluent retirees are adding new, longer-term residents to the mix.

As the world emerged from the pandemic, the UAE also found itself benefiting from geopolitical developments, chiefly Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting tensions between the US and China. “The UAE has been able to keep good relationships with most parties,” says Bortolotti.

The Road Ahead

Questions remain whether Dubai, with nearly 3.7 million people, can keep on such a successful path. Its desert climate requires enormous resources to make life comfortable. Climate change, combined with plans in Dubai to increase the number of residents by 2.1 million in the next 16 years, could put the environment at risk of serious degradation.

But Bortolotti expects the UAE’s tight oversight of immigration to provide some comfort.

“What worries me is overly rapid urbanization, absent the right institutions and regulations in place,” he says. “But I’m not sure [this] could ever take place in such a closely regulated country as the UAE, where every single immigrant comes with a job.”

Global efforts to reduce carbon emissions—strengthened by an agreement by nearly 200 nations at the latest UN Climate Change Conference, held in Dubai in December—also loom over the local economy. A collapse in the price of oil amid the energy transition would impact Abu Dhabi and other emirates more directly than Dubai, which is less dependent on energy. But the whole federation would struggle with declining government revenue and the resulting strain on the largesse it shows its citizens.

Nevertheless, Swanston argues that the UAE’s low energy production costs, strong public finances and rapid diversification away from the energy industry put it in a relatively good position to sustain reduced oil prices, even in the long term.

A Complex World

More and more neighboring countries, meanwhile, are pushing to emulate the UAE’s, and particularly Dubai’s, economic model. Saudi Arabia has been directing enormous firepower toward establishing itself as a global business destination, including its effort to poach global firms’ regional headquarters.

“Ten to 15 years ago, people would often set up business in Dubai in a free zone to do business with Saudi Arabia, because at the time, the environment was not quite conducive,” says the OBG’s Cornock. Although that’s changing, he says, Dubai still “has that first-mover advantage.”

A resolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine, however distant, could see many of the estimated tens of thousands of Russians who have flocked to the emirates return home. Real estate prices would likely take a hit, threatening the health of heavily indebted property and hospitality companies and their government-linked sponsors. “It’s a much lower risk than even three years ago, but a looming risk within Dubai,” Swanston cautions.

Taking the long view, Bertolotti suggests that the global landscape now taking shape, with the rise of Asia an indisputable fact and that of Africa just around the corner, will only buttress the position of Dubai and the UAE at the center of global politics and the world economy.

“I see at the very global level an incredible reallocation of economic and political power in the next decade,” he says. “New economic and financial realities will come to the fore, and the location advantage that the UAE has, especially in terms of its exposure to the so-called global south, is unique.”

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Dubai welcomes 3.67 million overnight visitors in Jan-Feb 2024

D UBAI, 5th April, 2024 (WAM) -- Dubai welcomed 3.67 million overnight visitors in January-February 2024, with an increase of over 18 percent year-on-year (YoY), figures released by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) showed.

According to the DET's Tourism Performance Report for January-February 2024, Dubai recorded 1.77 million international visitors in January, and 1.9 million in February.

Among the origin of visitors, Europe led the list for the January-February 2024 period with 773,000 tourists (21 percent). South Asia came in second with 604,000 visitors (17 percent) of the total, followed by Gulf Cooperation Council countries with 549,000 (15 percent).

Coming in fourth, the number of tourists visiting Dubai from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe reached 530,000 (14 percent), compared to 448,000 (12 percent) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which landed in fifth. Meanwhile, Dubai recorded 340,000 visitors (9 percent) from North and Southeast Asia; 240,000 (7 percent) from the Americas; 138,000 (4 percent) from Africa and 53,000 from Australia, which accounted for around 1 percent.

The report also showed an increase in the number of available hotel rooms from 148,450 distributed across 813 establishments in January-February 2023 to 151,269 across 826 establishments in the same period of 2024. The average occupancy rate settled at 87 percent, a 3 percent growth YoY.

Occupied room nights rose to 7.78 million compared to 7.28 in the same period of last year, with the average length of stay being 3.8 nights in January-February 2024.

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Tourism's contribution to Dubai's economy revealed

Tourism contributed US$64 billion to the UAE’s economy in 2016 and this figure is set to almost double over the next 10 years, the latest research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed

The travel and tourism industry has been earmarked as a key growth sector for the UAE as part of its ambitious economic diversification policy.

In 2015, the sector’s total contribution to the country’s GDP was AED133.8 billion (US$36.43 billion) or 8.7 percent, growing by 4.4% in 2016 and then 5.4 percent per annum to hit a predicted AED236.8 billion ($64.47 billion), or 11.2 percent of GDP, by 2026.

These are the latest figures to be shared by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in its Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2016 United Arab Emirates report.

The research provides true insight into the growing value of the country’s travel and tourism industry as it forges ahead with its strategy to boost tourism-related infrastructure development and attract an increasing number of business and leisure travellers from across the globe.

More than AED27.4 billion ($7.46 billion) was pumped into the UAE’s travel and tourism sector in 2015, a significant 7.3 percent of total investment.

This was anticipated to jump 2.8 percent in 2016, and by 6.8 percent every year over the next 10 years to reach AED54.4 billion ($14.81 billion) in 2026, or 8.2 percent of total investment.

The UAE is determined to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and WTTC’s report reveals that in 2015, it was ranked 28 th out of 184 countries in terms of the relative importance of travel and tourism’s total contribution to GDP.

In terms of the sector’s size and GDP contribution, it ranked 105 th , but its 2016 growth forecast ranked the country 42 nd out of 184.

Looking at the 10-year growth forecast, WTTC says the UAE ranks in 48 th place.

Of course, the growth of the industry generates more job opportunities, and the key beneficiaries are hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services.

The WTTC reveals that in 2015, travel and tourism directly supported 330,000 jobs (5.7 percent of total employment). This was expected to rise by 3.8 percent in 2016 and 4.3 percent per annum to 520,000 jobs (or 7.6 percent of total employment) in 2026.

However, restaurants and leisure industries benefit from tourism too and therefore supports jobs in both.

Therefore, in 2015, the total number of jobs the sector supported amounted to 9.6 percent of the UAE’s total workforce (557,000 jobs). This is expected to rise by 3.8 percent in 2016 to 578,000 jobs and by 3.9 percent per annum to 850,000 jobs in 2026, some 12.4 percent of the total.

The individual emirates within the UAE have all set out ambitious arrivals targets.

Leading the pack is Dubai, which aims to attract 20 million arrivals by 2020.

During the same year, Dubai will host the World Expo, marking the first time the famous event has been staged in the Middle East. At least 25 million visitors are anticipated, more than 70 percent of whom will hail from outside the UAE.

By 2026, the number of international tourists visiting the UAE will hit 30.94 million and they will spend AED167.7 billion ($45.66 billion), the WTTC reveals.

This represents a 5.4 percent per annum increase in terms of spend over the next decade.

In 2015, visitors to the UAE spent AED95.5 billion ($26 billion). This was expected to grow by 3.3 percent last year when 15.76 million international tourist arrivals were anticipated.

Leisure travel spending (inbound and domestic) generated 79 percent of direct travel and tourism GDP in 2015 or AED97.9 billion ($26.65 billion), compared to 21 percent for business travel spending or AED26 billion ($7.08 billion).

Leisure travel spending is expected to grow by 4.4 percent in 2016 to AED102.2 billion ($27.82 billion), and jump by 5.4 percent to AED173.2 billion ($47.15 billion) in 2026.

Business travel spending is expected to grow by 0.3 percent in 2016 to AED26.1 billion ($7.11 billion), and nudge up by 4.4 percent annually to AED40.3 billion ($10.97 billion) in 2026.

This demonstrates the growth trajectory and potential of the UAE’s travel and tourism sector as it continues to roll out mega projects with leisure visitors in mind.

Recent announcements for new theme parks, in addition to the recently opened IMG Worlds of Adventure and the Dubai Parks & Resorts (DPR) multi-themed destination, are likely to render these tourism growth forecasts conservative.

Newly-announced projects include IMG Worlds of Legends, Six Flags at DPR, and a Formula One themed park at Dubai’s Motor City, as well as SeaWorld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.

Developments such as these, along with plans for new tourism destinations, cultural venues, shopping malls, and leisure and entertainment activities, could see the UAE shoot up the rankings further in the next travel and tourism impact report by WTTC.

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United Arab Emirates Tourism Revenue Growth

• United Arab Emirates Tourism Revenue dropped 35.9 % YoY in Dec 2020, compared with an increase of 11.0 % YoY in the previous year
• United Arab Emirates Tourism Revenue Growth rate data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1996 to Dec 2020
• The data reached an all-time high of 102.0 % in Dec 2005 and a record low of -35.9 % in Dec 2020

View United Arab Emirates's Tourism Revenue Growth from 1996 to 2020 in the chart:

What was United Arab Emirates's Tourism Revenue Growth in 2020?

United Arab Emirates Tourism Revenue dropped 35.9 % YoY in Dec 2020, compared with an increase of 11.0 % YoY in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Tourism Revenue Growth by Country Comparison

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