According to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai significantly increased the number of international tourists staying overnight in the first quarter of 2024. The city welcomed 5.18 million tourists, 11% more than in 2023. In the first three months of 2023, 4.67 million international tourists visited Dubai.
Underlining Dubai's global recognition for its hospitality excellence, Dubai's Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the hotels in Dubai achieved an impressive occupancy rate of 83%. This achievement positions Dubai's hotel industry among the highest hotel occupancy rates globally.
Reflecting Dubai's global appeal and diverse tourism market, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing reveals that most international tourists to Dubai, totaling 1.138 million arrivals, hailed from Western European markets. This was followed by 869,000 South Asian visitors, 817,000 visitors from countries belonging to the CIS States and Eastern Europe, 605,000 from the MENA region, 664,000 from the GCC region, and 344,000 from the Americas.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) plays a crucial role in connecting the world, and the city takes full advantage of this. According to Airports Council International, DXB has retained its title as the world's busiest international hub for ten consecutive years, serving 86.9 million passengers in 2023. The airport is set to announce its Q1 2024 figures in the coming days, which is expected to reaffirm its position as the world's busiest passenger hub.
Around 25 percent of Dubai’s tourists are repeat visitors, which is a testament to the city's quality of service. Additionally, the opening of the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International (Dubai World Central) is expected to attract more visitors and investments to the city, boosting tourism and business travel.