Dubai Tourism 2025: 19.59m International Visitors and Record Hotel Performance

Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking a 5 per cent year-on-year increase from 18.72 million arrivals in 2024, according to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The milestone caps a third consecutive year of record-breaking growth for the emirate’s tourism sector, driven by global partnerships, major international events, and continued investment across hospitality, infrastructure, and destination marketing.

December Sets New Monthly Record

Dubai ended 2025 with unprecedented momentum, recording more than two million international visitors in a single month for the first time.

In December alone, the city welcomed 2.04 million international overnight visitors, representing 6 per cent growth year on year and surpassing the previous monthly record of 1.94 million, set in January 2025.

Leadership: Tourism Growth Aligned With D33 Vision

Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the performance reflects the long-term vision of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

He said Dubai’s strong tourism momentum has been driven by leadership’s commitment to building a city that connects the world, creates opportunity, and delivers distinctive, enriching experiences for global travellers, adding that collaboration across the tourism ecosystem continues to drive innovation and service excellence.

Source Markets: Europe and Regional Travel Lead

DET’s diversified, year-round market strategy — delivered in collaboration with more than 3,000 international partners — continued to attract visitors from both established and emerging markets.

In 2025:

• GCC and MENA proximity markets accounted for 26 per cent of total visitors

  • GCC: 2.99 million visitors (15%)

  • MENA: 2.17 million visitors (11%)

• Western Europe remained Dubai’s largest source market, contributing 4.1 million visitors (21%), up from 3.74 million in 2024

Other key markets included:

• CIS & Eastern Europe: 2.89 million (15%)

• South Asia: 2.89 million (15%)

• North East & South East Asia: 1.85 million (9%)

• Americas: 1.40 million (7%)

• Africa: 897,000 (5%)

• Australasia: 401,000 (2%)

Hotel and Hospitality Performance Strengthens

Dubai’s hotel sector delivered strong operational results throughout 2025.

By the end of December:

• Hotel inventory reached 154,264 rooms across 827 establishments, placing Dubai ahead of global peer cities such as Bangkok, New York, Paris, and Singapore, and close to London in total room count.

• Average hotel occupancy rose to 80.7 per cent, up from 78.2 per cent in 2024.

• Occupied room nights increased 4 per cent to 44.85 million, compared to 43.03 million the previous year.

• The average length of stay stood at 3.7 nights.

Pricing and revenue also saw notable gains:

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): AED 579 (up 8%)

• Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR): AED 467 (up 11%)

New hotel openings during the year included Ciel Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Cheval Maison – Expo City, and Vida Dubai Mall.

Tourism’s Growing Economic Impact

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, said tourism continues to play a vital role in Dubai’s economic diversification, contributing to GDP growth, foreign investment inflows, and global talent attraction in line with D33’s goal to double the emirate’s economy by 2033.

DET data shows that hotels and tourism accounted for 21.3 per cent of estimated foreign direct investment (FDI) capital flows into Dubai in the first half of 2025, placing the sector among the emirate’s top five FDI contributors, according to Financial Times Ltd’s fDi Markets database.

Global Campaigns and Aviation Strength

International marketing campaigns led by the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) — including Find Your Story, Dubai. That’s How You Summer, and Dubai, Ready for a Surprise? — continued to drive global awareness.

Dubai also secured multiple international accolades in 2025, including recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, as well as rankings among the world’s safest cities and best destinations for solo female travellers.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained its title as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, welcoming 24.2 million passengers in Q3 2025 alone, with 70.1 million passengers recorded in the first nine months of the year.

Looking Ahead: Infrastructure and Growth

Looking beyond 2025, Dubai is advancing major infrastructure projects, including:

• Expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport

• Development of the Dubai Metro Blue Line

• Continued investment in sustainability, culture, and destination excellence

DET said these initiatives will further strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations to visit, live, and work, while supporting long-term, sustainable tourism growth.

Dubai Tourism 2025: Key Figures