Dubai has cemented its status as a premier global destination by achieving an unprecedented third consecutive record-breaking year in tourism, welcoming 19.59 million international overnight visitors throughout 2025. This represents a robust 5% increase from the 18.72 million arrivals recorded in 2024, according to official data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
The city’s tourism sector demonstrated exceptional momentum by surpassing the 2 million visitor mark in a single calendar month for the first time in its history during December 2025, setting a powerful trajectory for 2026. This remarkable achievement was attributed to strategic global partnerships, innovative marketing campaigns, and a diverse portfolio of major events that showcased Dubai’s multifaceted appeal.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, emphasized that this sustained growth reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the ambitious targets outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. “Dubai’s success stems from our commitment to building a globally connected city that offers distinctive experiences while creating substantial opportunities for visitors and residents alike,” stated Sheikh Hamdan.
Regional market analysis revealed Western Europe maintained its position as Dubai’s largest source market, contributing 4.1 million visitors (21% share), followed closely by the GCC region with 2.99 million arrivals (15%). The city’s diversified tourism strategy effectively attracted visitors from both traditional and emerging markets, with significant growth recorded across all major regions including CIS/Eastern Europe (2.89 million), South Asia (2.89 million), and the Americas (1.40 million).
Dubai’s hospitality sector demonstrated exceptional performance with average hotel occupancy reaching 80.7% in 2025, up from 78.2% the previous year. The city’s hotel inventory expanded to 154,264 rooms across 827 establishments, positioning Dubai ahead of other global destinations such as Bangkok, New York, Paris, and Singapore in terms of room capacity. Notable new property openings included Ciel Dubai Marina (the world’s tallest hotel), Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and Mandarin Oriental Downtown.
The emirate’s tourism ecosystem received multiple international accolades throughout 2025, including recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere and ranking among the world’s top ten safest cities. Dubai’s culinary scene gained global recognition with three hotels featured in The World’s 50 Best Hotels list and two restaurants ranking among The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Infrastructure developments played a crucial role in supporting this growth, with Dubai International Airport maintaining its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the eleventh consecutive year. Future developments including the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and the construction of the Dubai Metro Blue Line are expected to further enhance the city’s accessibility and tourism capacity.
Sustainability initiatives achieved significant milestones, with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism drive recognizing 153 hotels for their environmental practices. The Dubai Can initiative eliminated 42.7 million single-use plastic bottles through its network of 65 water refill stations, while the DUBAI REEF project advanced with over 47% of planned reef modules deployed to support marine conservation.
As Dubai looks toward 2026 and beyond, the emirate remains focused on accelerating its D33 vision through continued infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and sustainable urban planning, ensuring its position at the forefront of global tourism innovation.