Dubai Rises: A Global Tourist Hub

Dubai Among the Top 5 Tourist Cities Again

Dubai has once again captured global attention, having been ranked among the world's top five most popular tourist cities according to the 2025 Global Power City Index. The emirate advanced to the fourth position, even improving one place. Dubai's allure grew further in 2026, partly due to new shopping and dining options and its exceptional ability to blend modernity, luxury, and accessibility.

The City of Shopping, Which Never Sleeps

Dubai is globally renowned as a commercial hub, where the shopping experience transcends mere acquisition of goods. Landmarks such as the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, the Gold Souk known for its jewels, the Ibn Battuta Mall, and Dragon Mart have contributed to attracting about 9.88 million tourists to the emirate in the first half of 2025—a 6% increase compared to the same period the previous year. The Dubai Mall alone welcomed 111 million visitors in 2024, an outstanding global figure.

The gastronomic, fashion, and entertainment centers designed for tourists are continually expanding, always offering something new for visitors in Dubai. Unique experiences such as indoor ski slopes, underwater aquariums, or artificial islands further enhance the city's uniqueness.

Global Comparison: In the Club of the Strongest Cities

The Global Power City Index, issued annually by the Mori Memorial Foundation, ranks the world's largest cities based on their ability to attract people, capital, and corporations. It evaluates six main factors: economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environmental sustainability, and accessibility.

In the overall index, Dubai ranks ninth, ahead of cities like Berlin, Copenhagen, Beijing, Melbourne, Madrid, Vienna, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Toronto, and many other significant cities. The top tier includes London, Tokyo, New York, and Paris leading the list, with Dubai included in good company with cities like Singapore, Seoul, Amsterdam, Shanghai, and Berlin.

Economic Performance and Business-Friendly Environment

From an economic standpoint, Dubai has shown tremendous growth. Its GDP growth rate soared from the 42nd to the 10th place, attributed to economic diversification and strengthened regional involvement. The attained 5.3% growth in the third quarter of 2025 and a 4.7% expansion over nine months, with a GDP of 355 billion dirhams, strongly demonstrate that the emirate can sustain economic growth.

Dubai's appeal for businesses has also strengthened: within a year, based on the availability of job opportunities and startups, it jumped from ninth to fourth place. This confirms the trend that the city has become a key player not only in tourism but also in the business world.

Excellent Quality of Life and Cultural Openness

From the perspective of well-educated international professionals, Dubai ranks seventh, which is a noteworthy achievement. The city's strengths include the presence of international educational institutions, safety, and modern healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the diversity of housing options, the development of public transportation, and smart city solutions contribute significantly to attracting more professionals to Dubai year after year.

The high score in the cultural interaction index also reflects that the city offers not only luxury and comfort but also an open, diverse, and inclusive society that enables global communities to coexist and thrive.

Accessibility and Global Connectivity

The exceptional network of Dubai's international airports (especially served by Emirates and flydubai airlines) allows rapid and straightforward access to the emirate from anywhere around the world. As a result, Dubai has secured third place in terms of the number of direct international air routes, outpacing global transport hubs like Frankfurt, Hong Kong, or New York.

This outstanding accessibility is crucial not just for tourism but also for the business and logistics sector.

Closing Thoughts

Dubai's prominent placement on the Global Power City Index list not only validates the city's current successes but also strengthens confidence in its future. The emirate has overcome regional limitations and redefined itself as a truly global player—touristically, economically, and culturally.

That Dubai is capable of astonishing tourists, convincing businesses, and hosting the world's most talented professionals makes it clear: the city is not merely a travel destination but a symbol of a globally competitive lifestyle.