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Dubai tourism hits record 19.59m visitors in 2025, marking third year of growth
The city also surpassed the milestone of 2 million visitors in a single month for the first time in December, signalling strong momentum heading into 2026.
- PUBLISHED: Mon 9 Feb 2026, 9:05 PM UPDATED: Mon 9 Feb 2026, 11:16 PM
Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year, marking the emirate’s third consecutive record‑breaking year for tourism, according to new data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
The city also surpassed the milestone of 2 million visitors in a single month for the first time in December, signalling strong momentum heading into 2026.
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the results reflect the strategic vision of Dubai’s leadership and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. He highlighted that the emirate’s performance is driven by its global connectivity, infrastructure investment and ability to deliver diverse, high‑quality experiences.
Western Europe remained Dubai’s largest source market, contributing 4.1 million visitors in 2025. The GCC and MENA region accounted for a combined 26% of all arrivals, while CIS and Eastern Europe and South Asia each contributed 15%.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, said tourism continues to be a key driver of economic diversification, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for investment, talent and business. Hotels and tourism were among the top sectors for foreign direct investment into Dubai in the first half of 2025.
Dubai’s hotel sector also posted strong results. By December, the city’s hotel inventory had grown to more than 154,000 rooms across 827 establishments, placing it among the world’s largest hospitality markets. Average hotel occupancy rose to 80.7 per cent, up from 78.2% the year before, while average daily rates increased 8 per cent to Dh579. Key new openings in 2025 included the world’s tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina, and luxury properties by Jumeirah, Mandarin Oriental and IHG.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said Dubai’s momentum is underpinned by digital innovation, progressive visa policies and strong public‑private collaboration. High‑profile global campaigns and partnerships with brands including Marriott, Visa and Hyatt helped expand international reach throughout the year.
Dubai also earned major global accolades. It became the first Certified Autism Destinationin the Eastern Hemisphere, ranked among the world’s safest cities, and featured prominently on the World’s 50 Best Hotels and Restaurants lists. Dubai International Airport retained its title as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for an 11th year.
Large-scale events—including Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which saw a record 3 million participants—continued to fuel visitor numbers. DET also expanded tourism‑sector training, sustainability initiatives and gastronomy programmes as part of the D33 strategy.
Looking to 2026, Dubai plans major infrastructure advancements, including expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai Metro Blue Line, alongside cultural programming aligned with the UAE’s Year of the Family.
