Dubai breaks more international visitor records in 2024
Dubai’s tourism sector has continued its record-breaking run from 2023, setting another new benchmark for international arrivals in the January-July period
Dubai's tourism sector set another new benchmark in the seven months to July, with the city welcoming 10.62 million international visitors, up by 8% compared to 9.83 million visitors a year earlier.
The year-to-date performance was driven by an increase in arrivals from key source markets. Western Europe contributed the largest proportion (20%) of visitors, with 2.08 million, followed by South Asia with 17% and the CIS and Eastern Europe with 15%.
The GCC and the MENA region contributed a combined 26%, with strong growth also registered by North-East and South-east Asia, particularly China, which has recovered strongly following the removal of pandemic-led restrictions on outbound travel last year.
The boom in visitor numbers also spelled good news for Dubai’s hotel market, with the citywide average occupancy rate reaching 77%, up by 1% year on year (YoY), despite a 2% YoY increase in guestroom inventory to 151,417.
Occupied room nights reached a record 24.51 million, up by 3% YoY, while the average daily rate (ADR) rose 4% YoY to AED527 ($144). Meanwhile, revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 5% YoY to AED406 ($111).
The latest benchmark results achieved by Dubai's tourism and hospitality sectors build on the industry's groundbreaking success in 2023, when the city welcomed a record 17.15 million international visitors. This achievement was replicated in the first quarter of 2024, with the city welcoming 5.18 million visitors, an increase of 11% YoY.
Commending the results, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “Dubai is on course for another standout performance this year after the emirate received a record number of visitors last year, with international visitors reaching 17.15 million”.
“This will ensure that the tourism sector continues its growth journey in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to strengthen its position as a leading global city for business and leisure,” he added.