Dubai continues to power ahead even as rival destinations in the
Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, accelerate the
development of their tourism infrastructure and marketing.
Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from
January to June 2024, a 9% increase over the number of tourist arrivals
in the first half of 2023.
Data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
revealed the growth in the first six months of this year puts the city
on track for a record performance in 2024, exceeding the 17.15 million
international visitors recorded in 2023.
Despite an increase in hotel capacity, which included the openings of
The Lana, Dorchester Collection’s first Middle East property, and SIRO
One Za’abeel, Dubai’s first fitness hotel, Dubai hotels’ average
occupancy of 78.7% was slightly higher than that achieved in H1 2023.
Occupied room nights increased by 3%, with 21.35 million at the end
of H1 2024, compared to 20.73 million in H1 2023. ADR rose to AED558
(US$152) during H1, an increase of 4% compared to the same period in
2023, while RevPAR increased by 6% compared to last year, from AED415
(US$113) to AED439.
Among the major attractions to open in the first half of the year was
Real Madrid World at Dubai Parks and Resorts, the first theme park in
the world to be operating under the branding of the Spanish football
club.
Also contributing to tourism growth is the ongoing expansion of the
cruise sector, which is bringing significant benefits for Dubai. In the
2023/2024 winter season from October to April the emirate welcomed more
than 132 ship calls between Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour.
This number is expected to increase. Dubai has joined forces with
other regional maritime and tourism authorities to formalise the
strategic Cruise Arabia alliance, to promote the Arabian Gulf as a
cruise ship destination globally.