Dubai welcomes nearly 10 million international visitors in first half of 2025
Tourism sector records 6% growth as emirate accelerates push to become top-three global destination
DUBAI, UAE (MNTV) — Dubai recorded 9.88 million international visitors in the first six months of 2025, reflecting a 6% year-on-year increase and reinforcing its status as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism hubs, according to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announced the figures, attributing the growth to robust global marketing efforts and dynamic public-private sector partnerships.
“This achievement underscores the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to place Dubai among the top three cities globally for tourism,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote in a post on X, referencing the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the emirate’s long-term growth strategy.
The D33 Agenda, launched in January 2023, targets the expansion of Dubai’s economy to AED 32 trillion ($8.7 trillion) by 2033 through 100 major initiatives.
Tourism plays a central role in the plan, alongside trade and investment, with emphasis on innovation, talent attraction, and improved visitor experiences.
According to DET, Dubai’s hospitality sector also performed strongly in the first half of the year. Average hotel occupancy reached 80.6%, with 22.24 million room nights sold, up 4% compared to the same period in 2024.
The average daily rate rose by 5%, and revenue per available room increased by 7%. Dubai now boasts 152,483 hotel rooms across 822 establishments.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, said the figures demonstrate the “resilience and adaptability” of Dubai’s economic model despite global uncertainties. He credited sustained investment in luxury, wellness, and experiential travel as key drivers of growth.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, emphasized the importance of community engagement and industry collaboration.
He noted that Dubai’s diverse calendar of leisure, trade, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) events had expanded the city’s visitor base and delivered significant economic benefits.
Dubai’s top source markets included Western Europe (22%), followed by the CIS and Eastern Europe and South Asia, each contributing 15%. The GCC and MENA regions collectively accounted for 26%, with 1.51 million and 1.12 million visitors, respectively.
Infrastructure investments under D33, including new theme parks, cultural sites, luxury resorts, and entertainment districts, have helped boost Dubai’s international appeal.
Efforts to enhance sustainability and accessibility, such as inclusive destination certifications and urban innovation, are also contributing to the sector’s long-term growth.
Coupled with strong airline connectivity through Emirates and Flydubai, these developments are positioning Dubai to surpass last year’s record of 18.72 million international visitors and solidify its goal of becoming a top-three global tourism destination by 2033.
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