Dubai is further establishing itself as a leading tourist destination and according to the Department of Economy and Tourism the emirate has received more than 10 million foreign visitors in the first half of the year, 2024. Throughout the first seven months of the year, 10,62 million travelers came to Dubai, an even bigger rise from 9,83 million of the same period open in 2023.
This is a clear indication that Dubai is on course of achieving the total foreign visitors in the record 15. 37 million in 2023. As a result of this, there are numerous things to do in the city that boasts of great eateries, tourist destinations, and events hence receiving tourists from every part of the world.
Western Europe topped the list with an average contribution of 20 per cent of the total visitors followed by South Asia 17 per cent the GCC and Eastern Europe with 14 per cent each. These diverse tourists prove the fact that Dubai caters for all sorts of tourists from all over the world.
There has also been an improvement in the hotel industry and a marginal rise in occupancy rate from 75% for the same period last year. According to the data presented in the table, the number of available rooms in Dubai in 2024 was 151,417 and these were located in 825 hotels while in 2023 there were 148,711 rooms in 813 hotels. New establishment of luxury hotels such as One & Only One Zabeel, Park Regis by Prince, and The Lana, Dorchester Collection has seen an increase in available accommodation due to the accommodation providers’ availability of many rooms to accommodate all the visitors.
Dubai continues to receive visitors even to its landmark structures like the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Frame; moreover, the UNTOLD music festival and WATERBOMB festival were also seen packing people. The second half of the year is also full of surprises with the latest tourist bus of the RTA being launched as a hop on hop off bus that will allow tourists to conveniently access the major tourist destinations in the city.
With large events lined up including Emirates Dubai 7s, performance from international artists such as Calvin Harris, it is evident that Dubai stands to sustain its position of being a top tourist destination destination around the world.
