Dubai received 9.88 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2025, marking a 6% increase from the same period in 2024, according to figures released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Western Europe remained the largest source market, contributing 2.12 million visitors, or 22% of total arrivals. South Asia and CIS/Eastern Europe each accounted for 15%, while the GCC and MENA markets contributed a combined 26%. Other regions included North East and South East Asia (9%), the Americas (7%), Africa (4%), and Australasia (2%).
The city’s hotel sector reported an average occupancy rate of 80.6% in the first half, up from 78.7% in the prior-year period. Total room nights reached 22.24 million, a 4% rise year-on-year. Average daily rates increased to Dh584, while revenue per available room grew by 7% to 471. The number of hotel rooms in the city reached 152,483 across 822 establishments.
Dubai added several new properties during the period, including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Cheval Maison in Expo City, The Biltmore Hotel Villas in Al Barsha, and Vida Dubai Mall in Downtown. Upcoming hotel openings include the Mandarin Oriental Downtown and Ciel Dubai Marina, expected to be the world’s tallest hotel-only tower.
On the marketing front, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) launched several global campaigns in H1, including promotions featuring Millie Bobby Brown, Jake Bongiovi, Virat Kohli, and Anushka Sharma. The city also signed partnerships with Marriott, Hyatt, and Premier Inn to expand reach and improve visitor experience.
Dubai Business Events secured 249 successful bids in H1 to host international meetings and incentive programmes, which are expected to draw over 127,000 delegates in the coming years. In 2024, Dubai was ranked first in the Middle East for the number of association meetings hosted, according to the International Congress and Convention Association.
Dubai also continued to gain global recognition, becoming the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. It ranked among the top destinations in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Traveller’s Choice Awards and was named the safest city for solo female travellers in a 62-city study by InsureMyTrip.
In gastronomy, Dubai earned its first three-star MICHELIN listings in 2025, including Trèsind Studio and FZN by Björn Frantzén. Trèsind Studio also ranked No. 27 globally in the 2025 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, the highest position for any Middle Eastern restaurant.
