Dubai sets new tourism benchmark in first half of 2025

Dubai’s global tourism momentum remains strong, with the city welcoming 9.88 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2025 — a 6% rise compared to the same period in 2024. 

The data, released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), highlights the effectiveness of Dubai’s comprehensive tourism strategy, bolstered by public-private collaboration and high-impact global marketing campaigns.

Western Europe emerged as the top source region, contributing 2.12 million visitors. It was followed by CIS and Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the GCC — each accounting for approximately 15% of total arrivals. 

MENA added another 11%, with Southeast Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia rounding out Dubai’s diverse visitor base.

Strong Hospitality Sector Performance

Dubai’s hospitality industry mirrored the tourism surge. Average hotel occupancy climbed to 80.6% in H1 2025, up from 78.7% in 2024. Occupied room nights increased by 4% to reach 22.24 million, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 7% year-on-year to AED471. 

The city’s accommodation landscape now boasts 152,483 rooms across 822 hotel establishments, with high-end developments like Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and The Biltmore Hotel Villas enhancing the luxury offering.

Dubai also reinforced its position as a global destination for business events. Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, secured 249 bids for international conferences, congresses, and incentive programs in the first half of 2025. 

These events are expected to bring in more than 127,000 delegates in the coming years. Additionally, Dubai maintained its ranking as the Middle East’s top city for hosting association meetings, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

With its consistent growth, strong infrastructure, and commitment to innovation, Dubai is solidifying its role as a global tourism and business hub, attracting travelers and investors from around the world.