Dubai Welcomes Record 16.79 Million Tourists in First 11 Months of 2024
Dubai welcomed 16.79 million international tourists from January to November 2024, a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Western Europe was the top source region, accounting for 20% of total visitors, followed by South Asia (17%) and GCC countries (15%).
Dubai's hotel inventory reached 153,390 rooms across 828 establishments by November 2024.
Hotel bookings rose by 3% to 39.19 million room nights compared to the same period in 2023.
The average daily rate (ADR) increased by 2% to AED 520, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) grew by 3% to AED 405.
The UAE ranked first regionally and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index.
The UAE's tourism sector's contribution to the national economy is forecast to reach AED 236 billion ($64 billion) in 2024, representing 12% of the country's GDP.
Revenue from hotel establishments in the UAE increased by 4% to AED 33.5 billion during the first nine months of 2024.
The average hotel occupancy rate across the seven emirates rose to 77.8%, one of the highest globally.
The UAE launched the National Tourism Charter, an initiative of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, to unify national efforts and enhance the sustainable growth of the country's tourism sector.
Dubai's tourism sector continues to thrive, with the emirate welcoming a record 16.79 million international visitors between January and November 2024, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This impressive growth is a testament to Dubai's enduring appeal as a global tourism destination and its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of travellers.
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism's 2024 Performance Report, the city saw strong monthly figures throughout the year, with November alone attracting 1.83 million international tourists. Western Europe emerged as the leading source market, contributing 20% of total arrivals, followed by South Asia (17%) and GCC countries (15%).
The hospitality sector also significantly grew, with Dubai's hotel inventory reaching 153,390 rooms across 828 establishments by November 2024. Hotel bookings rose by 3% to 39.19 million room nights compared to the same period in 2023, with guests staying an average of 3.6 nights. The five-star segment dominated the market, representing 35% of Dubai's total room inventory.
Financial performance metrics showed improvement, with the average daily rate (ADR) increasing by 2% to AED 520 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) growing by 3% to AED 405 compared to the previous year.
These impressive figures align with the UAE's broader success in the tourism sector. The country ranked first regionally and 18th globally in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, leading the world in travel and tourism data provision and air transport infrastructure.
The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that the UAE's tourism sector's contribution to the national economy will reach AED 236 billion ($64 billion) in 2024, representing 12% of the country's GDP. Revenue from hotel establishments in the UAE also increased by 4% to AED 33.5 billion during the first nine months of 2024, with the average hotel occupancy rate across the seven emirates rising to 77.8%, one of the highest globally.
The UAE launched the National Tourism Charter, an initiative of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 to further support the sustainable growth of the tourism sector. The charter aims to unify national efforts, enhance the country's competitiveness, and increase Emiratisation in the tourism sector.
As Dubai continues to attract record numbers of international visitors and the UAE's tourism sector demonstrates robust growth, the future looks bright for investors and businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries. With a focus on sustainable growth and a commitment to providing world-class experiences, Dubai and the UAE are well-positioned to maintain their status as leading global tourism destinations.
