4 days ago
Dubai tourism numbers indicate 2025 could be record year
It's no secret that Dubai is one of the best cities in the world with so many amazing things to do, tasty places to eat and incredible attractions to see.
And the latest Dubai tourism numbers suggest that 2025 is set to be another record-breaking year when it comes to people visiting the emirate.
Between January and April this year 7.15 million people visited the emirate, according to statistics released by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism ahead of the summer season.
For context, this number is a seven percent increase on the same period in 2024. Overall, last year saw a nine percent increase in visitors from 2023.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (Credit: DET)
While the latest overall statistics apply to the first four months of the year, the latest stats for the Eid Al Adha period show that Dubai remains a popular destination for travellers – with 629,559 people recorded at entry and exit points during the public holiday.
Dubai's biggest airline Emirates will target specific regions with different promotions with free hotel stays, discounts on city attractions and more offered throughout the year.
Regular live events, such as concerts, target this specific audience with a significant portion of ticket buyers for the city's many EDM shows hailing from Europe.
It should also be no surprise that Dubai remains a popular tourist destination with its biggest airport, Dubai International Airport, being named the world's busiest international airport once again.
And in the first period of the year, Dubai also hosted cultural festivals for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.
While major sporting events such as the ICC Champions Trophy T20 cricket tournament, Hero Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, Dubai World Cup horse race and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships all brought significant numbers of visitors to the emirate.
The latest Dubai tourism figures came during a City Briefing at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday June 10.
The City Briefing highlighted the initiatives such as Dubai's autism friendly certification and the MyDubai Communities programmes, as reasons the emirate is evolving as a destination.
And it is hoped that the return of Dubai Summer Surprises will bring more visitors to the city throughout the season.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, said that the aim remains to make Dubai the world's best city to visit.
He said: 'Building on yet another record-breaking performance in 2024, the exceptional results achieved by the industry so far in 2025 is a testament to the resilience and steadfast support of our stakeholders and partners.
'From hospitality and aviation to retail and gastronomy, every sector has played a critical role in solidifying Dubai's position as a global tourism leader.
'It is by coming together as a community that we have been able to navigate challenges, create compelling narratives about the city, and drive global trends.
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