Dubai Welcomes 9.31 million Visitors in First Half of 2024, Setting Stage for Record-Breaking?Year

Dubai has welcomed 9.31 million international visitors from January to June 2024. This is a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023 when the city saw 8.55 million visitors. The data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) highlights the city's growing popularity among tourists.

Following a record-breaking year in 2023 with 17.15 million visitors Dubai's strong start in 2024 suggests another year of exceptional tourism performance. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, praised this achievement. He noted that the growth is due to Dubai's ability to create effective partnerships and extensive global networks. He emphasized the city's commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and services to attract even more visitors.

This success aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 which aims to make Dubai a top global city for business and leisure. The data shows that visitors from the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) regions accounted for 26% of total visits. Western Europe contributed 20% of visitors while South Asia made up 17%. There was also a notable increase in tourists from China, North-East Asia and South-East Asia.

Dubai's hotel sector continues to thrive. In the first half of 2024, hotels saw a slight increase in occupancy reaching 78.7%. Dubai was named the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third successive year in the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards in January making it the first city to achieve this unique accolade. The first half of the year also saw Dubai named the Middle East's Leading Destination by the World Travel Awards while Dubai International Airport and Mina Rashid were named the Middle East's Leading Airport and Leading Cruise Port for 2024.

Dubai introduced several new attractions including Real Madrid World and new dining experiences showcased in the MICHELIN Guide. Dubai's calendar is filled with major events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Food Festival. Business events like Gulfood and Arabian Travel Market also attract thousands of visitors.

Dubai is working towards becoming a Certified Autism Destination. Many major attractions now have accessibility measures for various disabilities ensuring a welcoming experience for all visitors. Dubai is also committed to sustainability. The city's Dubai Can initiative has significantly reduced single-use plastic bottles. The launch of Dubai Reef, the world's largest marine reef project aims to protect and enhance marine life in the city's waters. Dubai's tourism sector is on track for a record-breaking year in 2024 showcasing the city's status as a leading global?destination.