Preedee TeoDubai continues to thrive as a top tourist destination, outpacing rival Middle Eastern locations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are also ramping up their tourism infrastructure. From Jan to Jun 2024, Dubai saw at least 9 million international overnight visitors coming into the city, marking a 9% increase in the first half of 2023.
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Official data from the local tourism board
Image credit: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism | Official Website
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) reveals that this growth trajectory sets Dubai on course for a record year in 2024, potentially surpassing more than 17 million international visitors recorded in 2023. Dubai also saw an increase in hotel capacity with new openings such as The Lana, Dorchester Collection’s first Middle East property, and SIRO One Za’abeel, Dubai’s first fitness hotel. Official data has shown that the city’s hotels maintained a robust average occupancy rate of 78.7%, slightly higher than in the first half of 2023.
Hotel industry performance
Occupied room nights grew by 3%, totalling 21.35 million at the end of the first half of 2024, compared to 20.73 million in the first half of 2023. Additionally, the Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose to AED558 (US$152), a 4% increase from the same period last year, while Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed 6%, from AED415 (US$113) to AED439.
New attractions a contributing factor
A key attraction contributing to this surge is Real Madrid World at Dubai Parks and Resorts, the world’s first theme park operating under the banner of the Spanish football club, which opened in the first half of the year.
The cruise sector has also played a significant role in boosting tourism. During the 2023/2024 winter season from Oct to Apr, Dubai welcomed over 132 ship calls between Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour, a number expected to rise. Dubai has also partnered with regional maritime and tourism authorities to form the Cruise Arabia alliance, promoting the Arabian Gulf as a strategic point and premier cruise ship destination globally.
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With a solid performance in the first half of 2024 and continuous enhancements in attractions and infrastructure, Dubai is well-positioned to set new tourism records by the end of the year, reinforcing its status as a leading global destination for tourists around the world.
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