TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Dubai’s evolving destination offerings resulted in the city welcoming 9.88 mn international overnight visitors from January to June 2025 — a 6% increase vis-a-vis H1 2024.
TT Bureau
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) data, markets in the proximity to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions had a combined 26 per cent share of overall visitors to Dubai from January to June 2025, with 1.51 million (15 per cent) and 1.12 million (11 per cent) arrivals respectively. Western Europe was the largest source market to Dubai, with 2.12 million visitors (22 per cent), followed by CIS and Eastern Europe (15 per cent), South Asia (15 per cent), Northeast and Southeast Asia (9 per cent), the Americas (7 per cent), Africa (4 per cent) and Australasia (2 per cent).
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said, “Dubai continues to set new records in international visits, reinforcing the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the city a major global business and tourism destination.”
This milestone reflects Dubai’s steady growth as a focal point for trade, investment, talent and opportunity and its rise as the world’s most connected city. “As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, tourism will remain key to driving GDP growth and cross-sector value creation in the emirate’s economy. By continually anticipating the needs of travellers and exceeding their expectations, we are strengthening Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to visit, live and work in. Partnerships, global campaigns, events and a series of new openings showcased the city to both new and returning international visitors, while DET’s bespoke market strategy, working in collaboration with more than 3,000 global and domestic partners, led to growth in key regions.”
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, DET, said, “Dubai’s strong tourism performance in the first half of 2025 reflects the enduring strength and adaptability of our economic model, even amid persistent global headwinds. Inflationary pressures, shifting traveller behaviours and wider macroeconomic uncertainty continue to challenge destinations worldwide. Yet Dubai remains on an upward trajectory, an outcome shaped by the long-term vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the precision of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
Campaigns and partnerships
Showcasing Dubai’s ever evolving and diverse destination offering, the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, launched a series of campaigns in H1 2025. HH Issam Kazim, CEO, DCTCM, said, “Our residents, businesses and visitors have played a supporting role in our tourism success, with their authentic voices and genuine advocacy promoting the city and its unique experiences.”
