
Dubai attracts 9.88mn international tourists in first half of 2025
22% of the visitors came from Western Europe, followed by 15% from South Asia, 15% CIS and Eastern Europe, and another 11% from the MENA region. North East and South East Asia (9 per cent), the Americas (7 per cent), Africa (4 per cent) and Australasia (2 per cent) rounded up the primary source markets.
'Dubai continues to set new records in international visitation, reinforcing the strategic vision of Mohammed bin Rashid to make the city a major global business and tourism destination,' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai announced in a post on X.
Dubai sets new record of 18.72 mn international visitors in 2024
Hotel average occupancy reached 80.6 percent, up from 78.7 percent in the first half of 2024.
This development builds on Dubai's accelerated growth in the tourism sector. In 2024, the city set a new record for international tourism in 2024, welcoming 18.72 million overnight visitors overall – marking a 9 per cent YoY increase, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office.
The UAE's tax-friendly policies, strategic location, ease of doing business and visa access are facilitating this growth, as Dubai remains poised to welcome record tourists, as well as attracting High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to the UAE.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Dubai attracts 9.88mn international tourists in first half of 2025
Dubai welcomes 9.88 million overnight visitors from January-June 2025 - an increase of 6% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. 22% of the visitors came from Western Europe, followed by 15% from South Asia, 15% CIS and Eastern Europe, and another 11% from the MENA region. North East and South East Asia (9 per cent), the Americas (7 per cent), Africa (4 per cent) and Australasia (2 per cent) rounded up the primary source markets. 'Dubai continues to set new records in international visitation, reinforcing the strategic vision of Mohammed bin Rashid to make the city a major global business and tourism destination,' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai announced in a post on X. Dubai sets new record of 18.72 mn international visitors in 2024 Hotel average occupancy reached 80.6 percent, up from 78.7 percent in the first half of 2024. This development builds on Dubai's accelerated growth in the tourism sector. In 2024, the city set a new record for international tourism in 2024, welcoming 18.72 million overnight visitors overall – marking a 9 per cent YoY increase, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office. The UAE's tax-friendly policies, strategic location, ease of doing business and visa access are facilitating this growth, as Dubai remains poised to welcome record tourists, as well as attracting High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to the UAE.


Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Ban lifted: PIA set to resume flights to Manchester
Following Britain's decision to lift its restrictions on Pakistani carriers, the national carrier, PIA, announced it is ready to resume operations, beginning with flights from Islamabad to Manchester. 'The lifting of UK restrictions is a testament to PIA's adherence to international air safety standards,' said a PIA spokesperson in a statement. In a major development for the country's aviation sector, the UK's Air Safety Committee on Wednesday lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing them to apply to resume UK flights. The ban was imposed in 2020, days after Pakistan launched an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country following a PIA plane crash that killed 97 people. The PIA spokesperson said that the UK's decision was made possible due to strict compliance with international aviation safety protocols. 'PIA is finalising preparations to resume flights to the UK in the shortest possible time and has submitted its flight schedule accordingly. 'The formal resumption of UK operations will begin with flights from Islamabad to Manchester,' said the national carrier spokesperson. Upon approval of the schedule, the airline plans to operate three weekly flights. 'PIA management is especially grateful to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, Civil Aviation Authority, and all relevant institutions whose personal efforts made the lifting of the ban possible,' it added. Before the suspension, PIA operated 21 weekly flights to the UK, including 10 to London, nine to Manchester, and two to Birmingham.


Business Recorder
13-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Macron to raise French defence targets, citing Russia threat
PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron is on Sunday to set new French defence targets in the face of a menacing Russia and a potential United States disengagement from Europe, his office said. 'Defence efforts' must be made in the face of mounting threats and a disintegrating world order, Elysee officials said ahead of the president's 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) speech to the armed forces, traditionally held on the eve of France's national Bastille Day holiday. Despite France's difficult budgetary situation, the president's announcements will be 'major', they said. French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a 'durable' threat to Europe and that the 'rank of European countries in tomorrow's world' was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022. Russia currently views France as its 'main adversary in Europe', Burkhard said. Starmer, Macron unveil migration deal, deeper defence ties He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks. 'We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters,' he said. On Sunday, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that 'it's our job to provide answers'. France needed to make 'a new effort' if it wanted to 'depend on nobody' in the future, the minister said. France's defence budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030. 'Sacrosanct' defence budget Any major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline. The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year. But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be 'sacrosanct' and exempt from budgetary cuts. Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security. Britain aims to increase its defence budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defence budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defence. 'Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks,' Macron said on Thursday. Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defences, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities. In Sunday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in 'disruptive technologies' including artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost 'national cohesion' in the face of global crises. Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilisation drive for young people who should be given 'an opportunity to serve', Elysee officials said.