Dubai attracted an astonishing 17.15 million international guests in 2023, the highest tourism performance in the emirate's history, smashing both 2022 numbers and pre-pandemic visitor numbers.
According to Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), 2023 data shows a 19.4% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals in 2022 to 14.36 million, an all-time high before the coronavirus outbreak in 2019. This exceeded the previous figure of 16.73 million people.
Australian travelers accounted for 2% of arrivals in 2023, with Western Europe (19%) and South Asia (18%) having the highest shares. 16% of guests were from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Plans to reach 25 million tourists in 2025
The growth in international tourism reflects the ambitious goal of attracting Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. By 2025, there will be 25 million tourists.
This is also in line with the goal of the newly developed Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which positions the emirate as one of the world's top three cities for business and leisure. This includes a focus on cruise tourism.
He attributed the tourism sector's best-ever performance in 2023 to the public-private partnerships that have transformed tourism development in the emirate.
He said: “Dubai's ability to consistently create diverse and fresh travel and tourism experiences that cater to a wide range of visitors is a key factor behind this exceptional performance.”
“With several indicators exceeding pre-pandemic levels, this year's results demonstrate that Dubai is a vibrant center of growth in the global tourism landscape.”
Acom upwards
Accommodation and food and beverage services activity also grew by an impressive 11.1% last year, cementing the emirate's position as a global tourism leader.
The average hotel occupancy rate in 2023 was 77.4%, the highest in the world.
Recent tourism plans include New luxury hotel opens in Dubai together this year too Emirates expands capacity from Australia to Europe In 2024.
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