International travelers flock to Dubai in 2024, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year, with a recorded total of 18.72 million visits.
Dubai, the vibrant city-state known for its towering skyscrapers and world-class attractions, is set to take its tourism sector to new heights. With a series of ambitious plans and significant infrastructure expansions, Dubai aims to consolidate and expand its status as one of the world's leading tourism and travel hubs by 2031.
Work has started on the new AED 128 billion passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which will be the largest in the world when fully operational and will handle a passenger capacity of 260 million annually. This terminal is part of Dubai's strategy to expand its aviation capacity to support the goal of attracting 40 million annual visitors by 2031.
The Dubai Metro's Blue Line extension, stretching 30 kilometres and connecting 14 stations, is another major public transport project designed to improve urban mobility and connectivity within Dubai. This extension will make it easier for tourists to access key attractions and reduce congestion, enhancing the integration of transport networks and supporting the expected visitor growth.
These developments are underpinned by Dubai Tourism Strategy 2025 and the Economic Agenda D33, which aim to double Dubai's GDP by 2033 and expand tourism's contribution from about 12%. The strategy includes broad infrastructure investments, aviation enhancements, and tourism-related retail and visitor economy growth.
In the first half of 2025, Dubai attracted 9.88 million visitors, a 6% increase year-on-year, reaffirming its position as a top global destination. Aviation growth includes DXB handling 46 million passengers in the first half of 2025, with projections reaching 100 million by 2026, showing the need for additional airport capacity like Al Maktoum Terminal.
Alongside transport expansions, Dubai is enhancing cultural landmarks, luxury and mid-scale hospitality options, and sustainable initiatives to diversify its tourism offerings for long-term competitiveness. The city also continues to attract visitors from across the globe, with significant source regions including North East & South East Asia, Africa, CIS & Eastern Europe, and Western Europe.
Dubai's record-breaking tourism growth is a result of visionary leadership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. In 2024, Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world's leading airport, marking a decade at the top of Airports Council International's list of the world's busiest international airports. The city also received several global accolades, including being crowned the world's leading shopping destination, exhibition destination, and cruise port.
Moreover, Dubai secured the number 1 position globally for city cleanliness for the fifth year in succession, according to the Global Power City Index report issued by the Institute for Urban Strategies at the Mori Memorial Foundation in Japan. The city was also among the top five safest cities in the world in 2024, according to Numbeo's mid-2024 Safety Index by City rankings.
The Average Daily Rate (ADR) of AED 538 only rose marginally against the AED 536 in 2023, and Dubai provided guests with more attractive average rates than global peers including Paris, New York, London, and Singapore. The Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) of AED 421 in 2024 was a 2% increase on the AED 415 the previous year. Average occupancy for the hotel sector grew to 78.2% in 2024, with occupied room nights rising to 43.03 million.
As Dubai continues to leverage innovation and new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to create personalised and immersive experiences for visitors, it is set to remain at the forefront of the global tourism industry. With its strategic vision, robust infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability, Dubai is poised to welcome even more visitors in the years to come.
A visitor to Dubai in 2031 may find it easier to access key attractions with the completion of the Dubai Metro's Blue Line extension, enhancing the integration of transport networks and supporting the city's expected tourism growth. As Dubai expands its aviation capacity with the new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, it aims to attract 40 million annual visitors by 2031, redefining its lifestyle and travel offerings for tourists from across the globe.
