Hyatt sees 20% rise in summer...

Dubai and Abu Dhabi increasingly seen as year-round destinations

Hyatt is seeing demand for hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi rise this summer, as the UAE is increasingly seen as a year-round destination by travellers.

The hotel giant, whose UAE portfolio comprises 12 properties, including the Grand Hyatt Dubai, Andaz Dubai The Palm (pictured) and the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, saw its occupancy across the emirates grow almost 20% in August 2024, compared to the same period in 2022, and says travel interest for summer 2025 is up 30% on last year.

The UAE hospitality scene has changed beyond recognition since the first Hyatt opened its doors in Dubai in 1980, with landmark developments in the city paving the way for the UAE’s current status as a global tourism hotspot.

Stephen Ansell, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa at Hyatt, said: “In the last three years, we have witnessed continuous upward trends with travel demand across both business and leisure segments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and we see this steady growth of interest not only in the winter months but also in the summer, which reinforces the destination’s draw to travellers all year round.”

The emirate attracted 18.72 million global visitors in 2024, representing a 9% increase on the same period in 2023.

Dubai Tourism is working hard to establish itself as a year-round destination that attracts tourists in the summer months as well as the winter, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) recently partnered with Hyatt hotels in Dubai to promote the city to new global audiences, with creative marketing campaigns, host exclusive events and tailored experiences for travellers.

Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice-President of International Operations at DET said that people are "less apprehensive now about visiting Dubai in the summer".

“There’s more awareness about what there is to do in the summer; there are amazing resorts with amazing facilities. There are more indoor activities and a different subset of things to do. There’s also an element of affordable luxury in the summer."

Aside from signature beaches and desert safaris, Dubai has diversified its offering to include more indoor attractions suitable for the hotter months, from mega malls and water parks to indoor theme parks. Later this year, Grand Hyatt Dubai is set to open a 20,000-square-metre water park with 15 slides and wave pool.

Grand Hyatt Dubai will welcome a waterpark in 2025

In Abu Dhabi, museums, events and cultural attractions are playing a pivotal role as the capital’s tourism sector aims to contribute US$16.9 billion to the emirate’s economy in 2025, up 13% on the previous year.

The newly opened teamLab Phenomena and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, both located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, are adding to the emirate’s tourism offering. Also set to open this year are Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and the National History Museum Abu Dhabi, cementing the emirate’s identity as a cultural capital.

In entertainment, Warner Brothers World is set to introduce a Harry Potter attraction and Yas Waterworld is adding 18 new attractions, including the UAE’s biggest water slide.

Equally keen to attract travellers during hotter months, Saudi Arabia focused on promoting itself to the travel trade as a summer destination during the recently held Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025.

Saudi is selling its beaches on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, plus a programme of international events, including the Esports World Cup being held this summer. It is also pushing cooler mountain destinations including Aseer, Taif and Al Baha which provide welcome respite from the heat as well as offering nature activities and outdoor experiences.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com and www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE 76-PAGE CONNECTING TRAVEL INSIGHT REPORT TODAY