Dubai Welcomes 9.88 Million Tourists in H1 2025

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

Dubai has once again shown its strong presence on the world tourism map by welcoming 9.88 million international visitors from January to June 2025. This is a 6% increase compared to the same time last year. The figures were shared by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), showing the steady rise of Dubai as a top destination for travelers, investors, and new residents.

Dubai's Strategic Vision Is Paying Off

According to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the growing number of international visitors shows how Dubai is following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The goal is to make Dubai a major hub for global business and tourism.

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He said Dubai is creating experiences that people from around the world find exciting and new. This is why more people are visiting and even thinking about living and working in Dubai. Dubai is becoming one of the world’s most connected cities, and it keeps growing in areas like trade, investment, and tourism.

The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which is a long-term development plan, sees tourism as a big driver of Dubai’s economy. It helps bring new businesses, job opportunities, and residents into the city.

Hotel Sector Shows Strong Performance

Dubai's hotel industry is also growing fast. Between January and June 2025:

• Average hotel occupancy reached 80.6%, up from 78.7% last year.

• A total of 22.24 million room nights were recorded, a 4% increase.

• The Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose by 5% to AED 584.

• Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) increased by 7%, from AED 439 to AED 471.

• Dubai now has 152,483 hotel rooms across 822 hotel establishments.

These numbers show that not only are more people visiting Dubai, but they are also spending more on their stays.

Visitors from All Over the World

Dubai attracted tourists from many regions:

• Western Europe was the top market with 2.12 million visitors (22%).

• GCC countries brought in 1.51 million visitors (15%).

• South Asia and Eastern Europe each made up 15% of total visitors.

• MENA (Middle East and North Africa) had 1.12 million visitors (11%).

• North East and South East Asia contributed 9%.

• The Americas added 7%.

• Africa and Australasia followed with 4% and 2% respectively.

This diversity shows that Dubai is attracting travelers from both traditional and new markets.

New Hotels, Great Locations

Dubai’s hotel portfolio keeps growing. In the first half of 2025, many new hotels opened across the city. These include:

• Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Umm Suqeim

• Cheval Maison in Expo City

• The Biltmore Hotel Villas in Al Barsha

• Vida Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai

Dubai is planning to open even more high-profile hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental Downtown, ZUHHA Island on The World Islands, and Ciel Dubai Marina—which will be the world’s tallest hotel tower.

Strong Public-Private Partnerships

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said that public-private partnerships have helped shape Dubai into a top tourist destination. The community, local businesses, and government agencies have worked together to show what Dubai has to offer.

Dubai's success is not just about big projects. It's also about local people and companies sharing their real experiences and helping to promote the city. Dubai has become even easier to reach, and it hosts many events like trade shows, cultural festivals, and business meetings throughout the year.

Focused Marketing Campaigns

Dubai ran several global marketing campaigns in the first half of 2025. These included:

• “Find Your Story” with Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi

• “Dubai. That’s How You Summer”

• “Dubai, Ready for a Surprise?” with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma

These campaigns were seen across the world and attracted many new visitors. Dubai also signed deals with big hotel chains like Marriott International, Hyatt, and Premier Inn to improve services and experiences for tourists.

Global Recognition

Dubai has received several important global awards this year:

• In April 2025, Dubai became the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere.

• Dubai was listed in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards as one of the world’s best destinations.

• A study by InsureMyTrip named Dubai the safest city for solo female travelers, especially for walking alone at night.

Business Events and Conferences

Dubai is also becoming a key location for business meetings and conferences. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Dubai was the #1 city in the Middle East for hosting association meetings in 2024.

In the first half of 2025, Dubai Business Events (DBE) secured 249 global events, which will bring more than 127,000 delegates to the city in the future.

Delicious Food Scene Grows

Dubai’s food and restaurant industry is booming. The city is now known for having some of the best restaurants in the world.

In May 2025, the MICHELIN Guide Dubai added:

• 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines

• 2 new three-star restaurants:

  • FZN by Björn Frantzén

  • Trèsind Studio, the world’s first Indian three-star MICHELIN restaurant

• Chef Björn Frantzén became the first chef globally with three different three-star restaurants.

On the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list:

• Trèsind Studio was ranked No. 27 – the best in the Middle East.

• Orfali Bros was ranked No. 37.

What’s Next for Dubai?

Dubai is not stopping here. The city is focused on:

• Attracting more tourists

• Adding more world-class hotels

• Hosting large events

• Growing its food and entertainment industries

• Staying innovative in technology and sustainability

By focusing on future generations, digital nomads, and high-end travelers, Dubai is preparing to become not just a travel destination, but a place to live, work, and grow.

Dubai’s journey as a top global tourism and business hub continues to grow stronger. The impressive performance in the first half of 2025 shows that careful planning, global promotion, public and private partnerships, and a vision for the future can lead to great success. As the city continues its path under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, it is setting an example for how a modern city can thrive, welcome the world, and remain adaptable to change.

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