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Dubai Attracts Record 9.31 Million International Visitors in First Half of 2024

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6 months ago

July 30, 2024

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Dubai Attracts Record 9.31 Million International Visitors in First Half of 2024. Dubai has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector, welcoming 9.31 million international overnight visitors in the first half of 2024. This represents an impressive 9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The emirate’s robust efforts to enhance and expand its tourism offerings have played a crucial role in this growth, positioning Dubai on track for an outstanding annual performance.

Dubai’s Tourism Growth

The Dubai Media Office highlighted the emirate’s tourism growth as a testament to its successful public-private partnerships and global collaborations. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Crown Prince of Dubai, praised this achievement. He noted that Dubai’s continuous evolution as a leading global tourist destination reflects its commitment to boosting the tourism sector’s contribution to the city’s GDP.

Key Source Markets

The visitor influx was notably influenced by the proximity of the GCC countries and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Combined, these areas contributed 26 percent of the total visitors, with 1.27 million from the GCC and 1.09 million from the MENA region. Western Europe followed with a 20 percent share, translating to 1.89 million visitors. South Asia provided another significant contribution with 1.62 million visitors, while Central Asia and Eastern Europe accounted for 1.37 million overnight travelers.

Notably, North-East and South-East Asia’s share of visitors increased from 8 percent to 10 percent during the six-month period, driven by a strong recovery in China.

Hotel Sector Performance

Dubai’s hotel sector also saw positive developments. The average hotel occupancy rate rose to 78.7 percent, up from 77.7 percent during the same period in 2023. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 6 percent annually, reaching Dh439. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), attributed this robust performance to a diversified market strategy, effective public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and innovative growth avenues.

Record Passenger Traffic at Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to handle a record 91 million passengers this year, driven by soaring travel demand and the expansion of Emirates and flydubai airlines. The airport witnessed over 23 million passengers in the first quarter of 2024, marking its busiest quarter ever. January alone saw 7.9 million passengers, highlighting the strong start to the year.

Upcoming Projects and Future Prospects

Dubai continues to invest in its tourism infrastructure, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the Jebel Ali Beach Development Project. This project will create the emirate’s longest public beach, stretching 6.6 kilometers, and will feature eco-tourism elements, including turtle-watching opportunities. This initiative is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to expand and enhance public beaches by 400 percent.

The UAE’s tourism sector is projected to contribute 12 percent to the country’s GDP in 2024, up from 11.7 percent in 2023. This growth reflects the broader economic expansion, with the Arab world’s second-largest economy having grown by 3.6 percent last year.

Conclusion

Dubai remarkable tourism growth in the first half of 2024 underscores its status as a premier global destination. The city’s strategic investments and dynamic tourism strategies are setting the stage for continued success in the coming years.