Dubai on track for record year as visitors rise 7%

UAE welcomed 8.68 million international tourists in first five months of 2025

Dubai’s enduring appeal as a tourist destination has seen it attract 8.68 million international tourists during the first five months of 2025, up 7% on the same period in 2024, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). 

These latest figures indicate the UAE city is on track to surpass its record-breaking 18.72 million international overnight visitors achieved in 2024. 

More than a fifth of visitors (22%) came from the traditionally strong Western Europe source market, with Russia, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) the next highest with 16%.

The GCC (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain) accounted for 15% and South Asia 14%.

This suggests the biggest source market mover is Russia, Eastern Europe and CIS which ranked as the fourth highest in the first 11 months of 2024 behind South Asia and the GCC.

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Dubai’s hotel inventory increased from 150,202 rooms at the end of May 2024 to 153,356 rooms a year later, with average occupancy up from 81% to 83%.

Total occupied room nights rose 4% to reach 19.09 million, with guests staying an average of 3.8 nights. The average daily room rate was also up 5% to AED620 while revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 7%.

The number of visitors so far in 2025 points to another record-breaking year for Dubai when you consider numbers for Q1 were up 3%. The city welcomed 18.72 international overnight visitors in 2024.

Launched earlier this month, the ‘Dubai. That’s How You Summer’ campaign positions the emirate as a must-visit summer destination.

Speaking at that launch, His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said hospitality, aviation, retail and gastronomy all played a key role in “solidifying Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader”. 

Dubai is not alone in promoting itself as a year-round destination, despite high summer temperatures, with Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) aiming to attract 4.1 million visitors and tourism spend of SAR73 billion (US$19.5 billion) with its ‘Colour Your Summer’ campaign.

For more information, visit www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en 

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