Dubai welcomes nearly 10 million global visitors in 2025
Dubai's tourism sector has shown impressive growth, with 9.88 million international visitors recorded in the first half of 2025, a significant achievement that underscores the city's growing prominence on the global tourism map. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed highlighted this milestone, attributing the success to the leadership and vision of Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
This surge in visitor numbers aligns with the ambitions outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, a strategic plan aiming to position the emirate among the world's top three tourism destinations. Under this agenda, Dubai seeks to expand its appeal, diversify its tourism offerings, and enhance its global standing, with a clear goal of fostering sustained growth in the sector. The half-year figures reflect strong international interest and robust demand for Dubai's varied tourism attractions, spanning luxury shopping, iconic architecture, and cultural experiences.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Dubai government's commitment to the tourism sector has been evident in a series of high-profile initiatives and investments designed to enhance the city's appeal. From the development of world-class infrastructure to hosting global events such as Expo 2020 and numerous international conferences, Dubai has positioned itself as a key player in the competitive global tourism market. The city's tourism recovery, which began after the pandemic, has been swift, drawing millions from across the globe, particularly from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
A significant driver of Dubai's tourism growth is its extensive air connectivity, facilitated by Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. DXB has consistently served as a global hub for international travel, with Emirates airline offering seamless connections to key markets. The airport's strategic location and connectivity have been instrumental in attracting a steady flow of travellers, particularly from Europe and Asia, who increasingly view Dubai as a prime destination for both business and leisure.
Dubai's luxury sector, including five-star hotels and upscale shopping malls, has continued to thrive, attracting affluent tourists seeking high-end experiences. The city's offerings have evolved, with a growing emphasis on experiential travel, which includes culinary tourism, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism. The government's continued investment in cultural infrastructure, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Museum of the Future, enhances Dubai's appeal to cultural tourists, complementing its already robust retail and entertainment scenes.
Dubai's rise in the global tourism ranks is not merely the result of external factors, but the active cultivation of a highly attractive destination. The city is known for its safety, cleanliness, and well-organised tourism offerings, with services ranging from luxury experiences to budget-friendly options catering to diverse traveller needs. As tourism numbers continue to rise, Dubai is expected to further strengthen its position as a hub for international events, exhibitions, and conferences.
In line with its long-term goals, Dubai has introduced several initiatives aimed at increasing tourism numbers, such as the Dubai Tourism Strategy 2025, which includes a broader approach to tourism marketing. The strategy focuses on creating innovative marketing campaigns, expanding the city's digital presence, and engaging with emerging travel trends such as eco-tourism and sustainable travel.
The city's strategic location, combining Eastern and Western influences, has further cemented Dubai's appeal as a cultural melting pot, drawing people from all corners of the world. Notable growth has been observed from markets in Asia, particularly China and India, with Dubai becoming an increasingly important destination for affluent travellers looking for luxury, leisure, and business opportunities in a safe and accessible environment.
Dubai's status as a global financial and business centre has also contributed to the rise in international visits, particularly among business executives and entrepreneurs attending conferences and exhibitions. The emirate's commitment to enhancing its business tourism infrastructure, including the expansion of its conference venues and the hosting of high-profile business events, is expected to contribute further to the sector's growth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Emirates sees first-class rise in premium flights to UK
Emirates airline has recorded a surge in premium bookings by visitors to the UK, which it claimed is 'driving forward economic growth' in Britain. Bookings for first-class seats on flights from China and India during the first half of the year were up 27 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, compared with the same period in 2024, the airline said. For travel from Australia, the increase in business-class bookings was 10 per cent. Emirates said regional UK airports such as Glasgow and Newcastle are also expected to announce an increasing number of Chinese visitors, with inbound passenger numbers anticipated to rise by 18 per cent and 45 per cent respectively in the second half of 2025 compared with a year earlier. All Emirates journeys on these routes involve changing planes in Dubai. The airline recently signed a declaration of intent with VisitBritain to boost inbound tourism. Emirates UK divisional vice president Jabr Al Azeeby said: 'The UK is one of the most important markets in Emirates' global network and the growth in bookings we've seen over the past year reflects that. 'We've seen a noticeable increase in inbound arrivals from key destinations such as Australia, India and China, driving forward economic growth here in the UK. Our partnership with VisitBritain underscores our commitment to grow tourism for the UK from key strategic markets.' The British government is aiming to attract 50 million international visitors a year by 2030. An estimated 41.2 million inbound visits were made last year. VisitBritain chief executive Patricia Yates said: 'Expanding airline routes and seat capacity into our regional gateways is crucial to our competitive tourism offer. 'International visitors are forecast to spend more than £34 billion in the UK this year. Making it easier for visitors to explore our nations and regions boosts that spending across more of Britain, supporting jobs, businesses and driving growth for local economies.'
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
UAE bucks global trend as non-oil trade rises
The UAE's non-oil foreign trade rose by nearly a quarter on an annual basis in the first six months of 2025, bucking the global trend as the Emirates continues to diversify its economy and forge trade international partnerships. The value of non-oil foreign trade for the January-June period jumped to more than Dh1.73 trillion ($470 billion), double the level of five years ago. In comparison, the average growth of global trade during the first half of this year was about 1.75 per cent. The UAE's foreign trade was worth Dh5.23 trillion ($1.4 billion) last year, a 49 per cent rise from the levels achieved in 2021. One important driver of the UAE's flourishing non-oil trade is the country's economic relationships with an expanding list of partner states. The country has signed 28 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepa). This is opening new markets, boosting trade and investment flows, and removing tariffs. Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade also jumped 34.7 per cent annually to Dh195.4 billion ($53.2 billion) in the first half of this year amid the emirate's diversification efforts. The emirate's exports, imports and re-exports rose from January to the end of June, Abu Dhabi Customs said.
Tourism Breaking News
3 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Dubai welcomes 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025
Post Views: 36 According to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2025 – a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Dubai's evolving destination offering, driven by impactful public-private partnerships and amplified through a robust global marketing strategy, resulted in the city welcoming these visitors. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: 'Dubai continues to set new records in international visitation, reinforcing the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to make the city a major global business and tourism destination. This milestone reflects Dubai's steady growth as a focal point for trade, investment, talent and opportunity and its rise as the world's most connected city. Dubai's ability to create compelling experiences that meet the evolving needs of visitors has strengthened its status as one of the world's most sought-after destinations. From exceptional infrastructure to unique attractions, Dubai offers a model of excellence in the tourism and hospitality sectors grounded in innovation.' 'As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, tourism will remain key to driving GDP growth and cross-sector value creation in the emirate's economy. By continually anticipating the needs of travellers and exceeding their expectations, we are strengthening Dubai's position as the world's best city to visit, live, and work in. Partnerships, global campaigns, events, and a series of new openings showcased the city to both new and returning international visitors, while DET's bespoke market strategy, working in collaboration with more than 3,000 global and domestic partners, led to growth in key regions. According to the DET data, the GCC and MENA proximity markets had a combined 26% share of overall visitors to Dubai from January to June 2025, with 1.51 million (15%) and 1.12 million (11%) arrivals respectively. Western Europe was the largest source market to Dubai, with 2.12 million visitors (22%), followed by CIS and Eastern Europe (15%), South Asia (15%), North East and South East Asia (9%), the Americas (7%), Africa (4%) and Australasia (2%). With unique offerings, safety and connectivity, Dubai has sustained its status as a preferred travel destination for visitors from both traditional and emerging markets. Adding to its appeal for international audiences, Dubai's accommodation portfolio continues to evolve, offering quality at every price point. In the first six months of 2025, the city expanded its hotel inventory with new openings across all segments and in various locations, including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Umm Suqeim, Cheval Maison in Expo City, The Biltmore Hotel Villas in Al Barsha, and Vida Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: 'Dubai's strong tourism performance in the first half of 2025 reflects the enduring strength and adaptability of our economic model, even amid persistent global headwinds. Inflationary pressures, shifting traveller behaviours, and wider macroeconomic uncertainty continue to challenge destinations worldwide. Yet Dubai remains on an upward trajectory, an outcome shaped by the long-term vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the precision of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. 'Our response has been both deliberate and future-focused: enhancing visitor experiences through technology, investing in high-growth segments such as luxury, wellness, and experiential travel, and promoting deeper cultural exchange through local community engagement. We are embedding sustainability across our tourism ecosystem and focusing on the needs of next-generation travellers, from Gen Z and digital nomads to high-spending global tourists. 'This multifaceted approach not only supports our ambition to become the world's best city to visit, live, work and invest in; it also reinforces Dubai's position as a world-class centre of commerce, innovation, and cultural connection. As we look ahead, we will continue to scale this impact and deliver on the D33 Agenda by driving growth that is both diversified and globally relevant.'
