Dubai welcomes more than 8 million...

Numbers exceed H1 2019 pre-pandemic levels

The latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) shows a 20% year-on-year increase in overseas visitors.

The emirate welcomed 8.55 million international visitors between January and June 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 8.36 million tourists in H1 2019.

This record H1 performance is another step towards the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai as one of the world’s top three cities.

Dubai’s figures will help the emirate to maintain its position as the fastest-recovering destination globally, as they exceed the projection made by the United Nations World Trade Organisation. UNWTO predicted that international tourist arrivals would reach between 80-95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023.

In addition, Dubai's hotels have outperformed pre-pandemic metrics across occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, length or stay and occupied room nights. Dubai’s average hotel occupancy of 78% in first six months of 2023 ranks among highest in the world.

Western Europe emerged as a significant contributor to tourism arrivals, making up 20% of the total international visitation, while the GCC and MENA regions delivered a combined 28% of the regional share, demonstrating Dubai’s appeal as a destination for visitors from neighbouring markets.

South Asia held a 17% share of the total visitation, and Russia, CIS, and Eastern Europe combined contributed 14%. North Asia and SouthEast Asia contributed 8%, while the Americas, Africa and Australasia contributed 7%, 4% and 2%, respectively.

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Dubai’s gastronomy sector has garnered global attention with the launch of the second edition of the Michelin Guide Dubai, featuring a total of 90 restaurants, including 17 Bib Gourmand winners, and the inclusion of three Dubai restaurants in the World's Best Restaurants List for 2023 have contributed raising Dubai’s international profile as a culinary destination.

Dubai is now gearing up to host COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference at Expo City Dubai later this year.

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Within a highly competitive global tourism ecosystem, Dubai has continued to accelerate momentum and stay ahead of the curve, primarily by highlighting the diversity of the city's offerings and the flexibility of our portfolio. Central to our success in showcasing Dubai as a must-visit destination is fostering multi-level partnerships between the public and private sectors.”

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