Dubai’s tourism sector continues to thrive, with the emirate welcoming 1.94 million international visitors in January 2025, according to the latest data from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai. This represents a 9% increase compared to the 1.77 million visitors recorded in January 2024, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a global travel destination.

Top Source Markets for Tourists

Dubai’s visitor numbers were driven by a diverse mix of tourists from across the world:

• Western Europe: Led the rankings, contributing 19% of total visitors (approximately 369,000 tourists).
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries: Accounted for 18% of visitors, with around 341,000 arrivals.
• Russia, CIS, and Eastern Europe: Contributed 15%, with 285,000 tourists.
• South Asia: Made up 14% of total visitors, with over 271,000 arrivals.
• Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Represented 12%, with approximately 236,000 visitors.
• North & Southeast Asia: Accounted for 10%, with around 187,000 tourists.
• The Americas: Contributed 7%, with 135,000 visitors.
• Africa: Represented 5%, with nearly 76,000 tourists.
• Australasia (Australia & New Zealand): Made up 2%, with around 41,000 visitors.

Dubai’s Expanding Hotel Sector

As tourism numbers continue to grow, Dubai’s hospitality sector has also expanded. By the end of January 2025, the city boasted:

• 831 hotels and hotel apartments, compared to 823 establishments in January 2024.
• 153,600 hotel rooms, up from 150,400 the previous year.
• An average hotel occupancy rate of 84.3%, compared to 83.2% in January 2024.

Breakdown of Hotel Categories:

• Luxury 5-star hotels: 35% of total supply, with 54,000 rooms across 168 properties.
• 4-star hotels: 28% of the market, offering 43,500 rooms in 197 properties.
• 1 to 3-star hotels: 20% of total rooms, with 29,800 rooms across 279 establishments.
• Hotel apartments: 17% of the market, with 26,100 units in 187 properties.

Visitor Spending and Hotel Rates Rise

Tourists are spending more per stay, with the average daily hotel rate rising to AED 683 ($186) in January 2025, compared to AED 643 ($175) in January 2024, reflecting a 6% increase.

The average length of stay slightly declined to 3.76 nights, down from 3.8 nights in January 2024. However, overall hotel revenues and tourist spending continue to grow, supporting Dubai’s goal of maintaining its status as a top global destination.

Dubai’s Continued Success as a Leading Travel Hub

These impressive tourism figures highlight Dubai’s ability to attract visitors year-round, driven by world-class attractions, a thriving business environment, and strategic government initiatives. The city’s commitment to innovation, hospitality excellence, and diverse entertainment options ensures that it remains one of the most sought-after travel destinations worldwide.

With major events, festivals, and continued investments in tourism infrastructure, 2025 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year for Dubai’s travel and hospitality sector.