According to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai experienced a record-breaking year in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors. This represents a significant growth of 19.4 percent compared to the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022 and surpasses the previous record of 16.73 million visitors in 2019. The growth aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to solidify Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, as well as the best city to visit, live, and work in.
Dubai’s success in attracting tourists was further recognized when it achieved the No.1 ranking as the global destination for the third consecutive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, making it the first city to receive this prestigious accolade. These achievements reflect the vibrant and diverse offerings of the city, supported by world-class infrastructure, exceptional service, and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors. Dubai caters to travelers of all budgets and preferences, and its year-round calendar of business, leisure, and sporting events continues to attract international visitors.
Tourism and economic growth
The performance of the tourism sector in Dubai closely mirrors the emirate’s 3.3 percent GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023, highlighting the mutually beneficial relationship between tourism and economic prosperity. Accommodation and food services activities recorded an impressive growth rate of 11.1 percent, solidifying Dubai’s position as a global leader in tourism.
Dubai’s international visitor performance has outpaced global tourism trends, as indicated by the latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (U.N.W.T.O.). By the end of 2023, international tourism worldwide had reached 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels. However, the Middle East region surpassed pre-pandemic levels with a remarkable 22 percent increase in visitation compared to 2019, leading the global recovery in relative terms.
Key regions maintain momentum
Dubai’s strong tourism performance in 2023 solidified its position as a top travel destination for visitors from both traditional and emerging markets. In terms of regional distribution, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions contributed a combined 28 percent of the share, reflecting Dubai’s appeal as a trusted and preferred destination for visitors from neighboring markets. Western Europe accounted for 19 percent of arrivals, while South Asia represented 18 percent. The CIS/Eastern Europe region accounted for 13 percent of arrivals, and North Asia and Southeast Asia contributed 9 percent. The Americas accounted for 7 percent, Africa 4 percent, and Australasia 2 percent of arrivals.
Hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all metrics
Dubai’s hospitality sector, which plays a crucial role in the emirate’s destination promise and overall tourism industry growth, continued to excel, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across all key hospitality metrics. This includes occupancy rates, occupied room nights, guests’ length of stay, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR).
Occupancy remains among the highest in the world
In 2023, the average occupancy rate for Dubai’s hotel sector stood at 77.4 percent, placing it among the highest in the world. This marked an increase from 72.9 percent in 2022 and exceeded the average occupancy rate of 75.3 percent in 2019. Achieving such a high occupancy level is notable considering the overall 19 percent increase in room supply in 2023 compared to 2019.
Milestone 150,000 room keys achieved
By the end of December 2023, Dubai’s hotel inventory reached a milestone of 150,291 rooms across 821 establishments. This represented growth compared to the 146,496 rooms available at the end of December 2022 across 804 establishments and the 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. This achievement reflects the continuous growth and success of the hospitality industry in Dubai.
Occupied room nights surge to record high
In 2023, the number of occupied room nights in Dubai reached a record high of 41.70 million, marking an 11 percent increase compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represented a substantial 30 percent rise from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 32.11 million occupied room nights.
Reflecting the commitment of the city and the hospitality sector to offer competitive pricing, the ADR in 2023 remained at AED536, matching the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector’s robust performance is further evident in its RevPAR growth, with a 6 percent increase compared to 2022 (AED415 vs. AED391) and a 33 percent growth over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). The average length of stay for guests in 2023 was 3.8 nights, a 10 percent increase from 3.4 nights in 2019.
Global liveability hub
Dubai’s reputation as a global liveability hub continues to soar, earning recognition in various areas for its unique blend of opportunities, safety, and world-class amenities in a vibrant and dynamic setting.
Dubai tops the list for relocation and remote work
According to a report by financial services provider Remitly, Dubai was hailed as the number one city in the world to relocate to in 2023, highlighting its appeal as a preferred destination for individuals seeking new opportunities and a high quality of life. Additionally, property consultancy Savills identified Dubai as the best city in the world for remote workers, emphasizing its conducive environment for professionals embracing the virtual working lifestyle.
Dubai’s global appeal and recognition
Dubai’s status as a thriving global hub was further highlighted in Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, which named Dubai the world’s second-ranked city destination, showcasing its popularity among international travelers. The city’s recognition as one of the top 10 cities in the Global Power City Index, as reported by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies in Japan, further reinforces its stature as a key player on the global stage.
Read more: Dubai’s tourism sector key to economic expansion, says Sheikh Mohammed
Global partnerships and campaigns
To showcase Dubai to the world, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) entered into a landmark collaboration with Spanish football giants Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. This multi-year agreement brings together two iconic brands and builds on Real Madrid’s longstanding partnership with Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates. Additionally, Dubai Parks and Resorts™ will be home to the first Real Madrid-themed park, Real Madrid World.
Dubai also hosted record-breaking stunts, such as Red Bull Air Race Champion Luke Czepiela landing his plane on the helipad of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, inspiring visitors and residents to push boundaries. American Brian Grubb performed a world-first wakeskate and base jump at the Address Beach Resort, showcasing Dubai’s spirit of achieving new heights.
Furthermore, Dubai established a strong and ongoing partnership with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. His performance, “Hans Zimmer Live,” marked his first Middle East performance at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena during the region’s longest-running Dubai Shopping Festival. This collaboration goes beyond a typical concert, as Zimmer created “Sounds of Dubai,” a unique musical piece capturing the city’s vibe, highlighting Dubai’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.
International events destination
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) positions Dubai as an international entertainment hub, hosting a diverse array of year-round events, with the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival leading the way. DFRE’s annual Retail Calendar covers arts, books, food, sports, music, concerts, heritage, culture, shopping, fashion, and retail promotions offering life-changing prizes to lucky residents and visitors.
As the leading destination for business events in the region, Dubai attracts a wide range of business travelers through its calendar of annual exhibitions and trade shows, which are among the largest in the world. Major events in 2023 included Gulfood, Gitex Global Dubai, the International Boat Show, and Arabian Travel Market. Dubai Business Events, part of DTCM and the city’s official convention bureau, secured a record 349 bids to host international conferences, congresses, meetings, and incentive travel programs over the coming years, ensuring continued growth in this space.
Culinary innovation and recognition
Dubai’s culinary scene continues to thrive, making it a modern capital for food enthusiasts. With an impressive array of 13,000 restaurants and cafes, the city offers diverse cuisines and unique dining experiences. In 2023, the second edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai was released, featuring 90 restaurants, including three with two stars, eleven with one star, and several other recognitions such as Green Stars, Bib Gourmands, and Michelin selected restaurants. Two homegrown Dubai restaurants, Trèsind Studio and Orfali Bros Bistro, were included in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List for 2023, showcasing the city’s culinary excellence. Additionally, the Gault&Millau UAE 2023 guide featured 113 Dubai restaurants.
Commitment to sustainability
Dubai is at the forefront of sustainability efforts, aligning with global objectives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) drive, initiated by the Dubai Department of Tourism (DET), supports the hospitality industry through various programs. As part of DST, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp was launched in July 2023, recognizing 70 hotels that adhere to the 19 Sustainability Requirements set by DET. This stamp serves as validation of a hotel’s dedication to sustainable practices, accelerating efforts to achieve sustainability goals. Dubai also introduced initiatives like Dubai Can, promoting reusable bottles and establishing water fountains throughout the city for refilling. Another notable project is the Dubai Reef, one of the world’s largest marine reef developments, contributing to increased fish stocks, sustainable fishing, food security, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced marine biodiversity. DET also relaunched the Carbon Calculator tool to measure the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. The hosting of COP28, the U.N. Climate Change Conference, further boosted Dubai’s sustainability profile.
Global destination for cruise and yacht tourism
Dubai’s cruise tourism sector plays a vital role in transforming the city into one of the world’s top destinations for business and leisure. The 2023-2024 cruise season commenced with the arrival of Mein Schiff 2 in October, marking an exciting period for cruise enthusiasts. Key cruise hubs like Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour offer convenient access to Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the city’s cultural heritage. Dubai’s status as a cruise hub was recognized internationally when it received the Best Port award at the CRUCEROADICTO AWARDS in Spain.
Dubai’s appeal extends to yacht tourism, with 15 marinas and over 3,600 berths accommodating pleasure crafts, superyachts, and gigayachts. The emirate’s strategic location provides easy access to stunning yachting destinations along the UAE’s coastline.
Initiatives for growth
In 2023, Dubai unveiled the Dubai Master Plan for Public Beaches, aiming to increase the length of public beaches by 400 percent by 2040 and enhance the services offered by 300 percent by 2025. This plan will enhance Dubai’s tourism offerings. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, another significant initiative, will double green and leisure areas, preserve cultural and urban heritage, and provide sustainable mobility options. Over the next two decades, the plan will increase the total space dedicated to hotels and tourist activities by over 100 percent, further expanding Dubai’s tourism sector.
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