Dubai's Dramatic Tourism Growth: A New Milestone

Dubai's Tourism Soars: Nearly 10 Million Visitors in Half a Year

Dubai has reached another milestone: in the first half of 2025, it welcomed 9.88 million international visitors, further cementing its position among the world's top three tourist destinations. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this signifies a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.

Strengthening Partnerships and Targeted Marketing

Multiple factors contribute to this growth: strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, globally targeted marketing campaigns, and Dubai's continuously renewing offerings for tourists. The city is becoming increasingly attractive not only as a hub for luxury but also for culture, gastronomy, and experience-based travel.

Campaigns like "Find Your Story", "Dubai. That’s How You Summer", and "Dubai, Ready for a Surprise?" successfully showcased the city's diverse appeal to different regions of the world.

Impressive Hospitality Performance

Dubai's hotel industry also achieved remarkable results. The average hotel occupancy was 80.6% in the first six months of the year, compared to last year's 78.7%. The number of occupied hotel room nights reached 22.24 million, marking a 4% increase. The average daily room rate rose to 584 dirhams, a 5% increase from last year.

New Hotels and Iconic Locations

The city's accommodation offerings have expanded, with several new hotels opening their doors, like Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Cheval Maison at Expo City, The Biltmore Hotel Villas, and Vida Dubai Mall. These new facilities provide even more options to meet various travel preferences.

Visitor Geographic Distribution

Most of the visitors came from Western Europe, representing 22% of the total guest count, followed by:

CIS countries and Eastern Europe: 15%

South Asia: 15%

Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC): 15%

Middle East and North Africa (MENA): 11%

Northeast and Southeast Asia: 9%

America: 7%

Africa: 4%

Australia and New Zealand: 2%

This geographic diversity demonstrates that Dubai truly operates as a global destination.

Gastronomic Breakthrough

Dubai's dining scene has never been stronger: the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Dubai listed 119 restaurants with 35 different cuisine types. Two restaurants achieved a three-star rating: FZN and Trèsind Studio—the latter being the first Indian restaurant in the world to receive three MICHELIN stars. Additionally, Trèsind Studio ranked 27th, and Orfali Bros 37th on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

The Heart of the World

Tourism is not only economically crucial for Dubai but also a defining element of the city's global image. The statement "the heart of the world – Dubai" echoes this sentiment, aiming to welcome visitors with openness and inclusivity—no matter where they come from.

Summary

Dubai's tourism performance in the first half of 2025 shows that the city can continually renew itself and adapt to global travel trends. The increase in visitor numbers, new accommodations, world-class restaurants, and dynamic marketing strategies all contribute to making Dubai one of the world's most beloved destinations—and ensuring it remains so.

(The article's source is a statement from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).)