TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Dubai welcomed 4.67 million overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023, and is on track to become the most visited international destination. The emirate’s hotels witnessed a surge in occupancy with the average occupancy reaching at 83 per cent during the January-March period, making it one of the highest in the world, and almost on par with 84 per cent occupancy listed in Q1 2019.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai & Chairman, The Executive Council of Dubai
The remarkable growth in international visits to Dubai in the first quarter of 2023 demonstrates the city’s emergence as one of the key destinations leading the way in the rebound of the global tourism sector. This achievement has been made possible by the far-reaching vision of the leadership. The Dubai Economic Agenda recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, charts an ambitious new path for Dubai.
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai
Q1 2023 has set us off on a strong trajectory for the year and is driving us closer towards realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai to make Dubai the most visited and re-visited destination. The positive industry performance is an endorsement of our well-defined strategy, and a testament to the unwavering support of our tourism industry partners and stakeholders. The coming decade will see our industry going through extraordinary phases of transformation.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing
Inspired by our visionary leadership, we have made tremendous strides in our efforts to position the city as a must-visit destination through celebrity-led and digital first global campaigns in parallel with initiatives that increase accessibility, minimise barriers to travel, and make it as seamless as possible for travellers to visit Dubai. We express our sincere appreciation for the steadfast support from all our stakeholders and partners who relentlessly strive to uphold our city’s position as a top-tier travel destination globally.
Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International
Dubai continues to consistently evolve as an international business and leisure hub under the vision of its leaders. This is a market that has something for everyone. Fortunately, we have a fabulous portfolio of properties in the city across all segments – select, premium and luxury, that align with the diversity of experiences Dubai offers for every type of traveller. Dubai remains focused on enhancing the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness and the collaboration between the Department of Economy and Tourism and the organisations across the industry continue to drive success for the market’s tourism sector. Dubai remains one of our better performing markets.
Paul Stevens, COO, Middle East & Africa Premium Midscale & Economy Division at Accor
The tourism industry in Dubai is expected to experience significant growth in 2023, with international visits projected to increase by 17.6 per cent to reach 16.9 million arrivals. This growth signifies an additional 2,521,000 arrivals compared to the previous year, indicating a positive trend in Dubai’s tourism sector. One of the key factors driving this growth is the increasing demand for hotel accommodations across Dubai. The leisure segment remains a primary driver, as the city continues to attract tourists from around the world with its varied offering of brands, including affordable premium and midscale properties, iconic landmarks, and vibrant entertainment options.
Abdulla Al Abdulla, COO & Group General Manager, Central Hotels & Resorts
Dubai’s position as a global hub with an ever-expanding network of flights and unparalleled connectivity has made it a seamless gateway for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences. Global travellers flock to Dubai, the emirate known for luxury shopping, its cosmopolitan fusion of cultures, awe-inspiring attractions, and limitless possibilities. A surge in tourism has profound implications beyond the hospitality industry, affecting the economy as a whole. Dubai’s position as a global business and leisure destination will be further enhanced by boosting job creation, investment opportunities, and infrastructure development in the emirate.
Jan Hanak, Managing Director – UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Radisson Hotel Group
The hospitality sector in Dubai is experiencing a surge in international visitors with recent data indicating a 19 per cent increase in overnight stays by foreign guests in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Dubai is not just a destination for leisure travellers, its status as a global business centre has also attracted an increasing number of business travellers. With its iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, hotels, and welcoming culture, Dubai, the emirate famous for luxury shopping, is a testament to how innovation, vision, and a commitment to excellence can transform a city into a global tourism icon.
Freddy Farid, Managing Director, Two Seasons
Dubai has welcomed 4.7 million international overnight visitors in first three months of 2023, an increase of 17 per cent compared to the same period last year. This is a remarkable achievement as a destination considering the current global economic crisis and pre-pandemic levels. The emirate with its diversification to attract international visitors for business and leisure, and the creation of the Sustainable Tourism, Gastronomy drive, organizing International events to attract Mice Business, leisure events and hosting Global events like the upcoming COP28, will boost and cement Dubai’s position as one of the top 3 cities in the world.
Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels
Dubai is thriving as a tourist destination, and as a result, we have seen very positive occupancy figures across our portfolio of properties from both domestic and, increasingly, international travellers. The emirate received 4.7 million international overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023. The expected rebound of the Chinese inbound market, positive figures from the South East Asian market, and the positive figures the region’s airlines are experiencing, point to an encouraging first half of the year for Dubai’s tourism industry. We will be closely monitoring the evolving travel trends in the region and adapting our strategies accordingly to capitalise on the boon.
Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence
Dubai’s Hospitality and Tourism sector is on a rebound and is getting back on track robustly. Having welcomed over 14 million tourists in 2022, the emirate is expected to witness more than a 50 per cent increase in international visitors this year. The emirate observes progressive developments placing it in an enviable position to steer travel and hospitality demands. Dubai is witnessing a significant increase in occupancy in 2023 with more visitors coming to Dubai for both leisure and business. The emirate has always been a spotlight destination internationally with progressive developments placing it in an enviable position to steer travel and hospitality demands in 2023. Let us hope for the best.
Binu Varghese, General Manager, Ramada JBR
Dubai as a destination is leading the tourist markets around the world. This is an outcome of the strategic planning and communication efforts led by Dubai Tourism, along with the key stakeholders in the tourism sector, which include the airlines, travel trade partners, hotels, entertainment, and retail. Since October 2020, the renewed focus has been to increase Dubai’s tourism footprint across the globe and penetrate new markets. We are fortunate that the government has supported many new initiatives to push the vision of making Dubai No. 1 tourist city across the globe. We witnessed a good growth in Q1 2023 and are trading numbers almost comparable to 2019, while the forecast for the rest of the year continues to remain strong.
Hakan Ozel, General Manager, Shangri-La Dubai
We are thrilled to see the continuous growth and positive momentum in the hospitality sector in Dubai. After experiencing healthy arrivals and numbers last year, we are excited to anticipate an even greater influx of international visitors this year. Dubai’s reputation as a world-class destination coupled with its commitment to safety and exceptional experiences make it an irresistible choice for travelers. As the General Manager of Shangri-La Dubai, I am proud to lead a team dedicated to providing impeccable service through our Asian heritage and creating unforgettable memories for our esteemed guests to the colorful joys of life. We look forward to welcoming even more travellers to Dubai and showcasing the unparalleled hospitality.
Alfio Bernardini, General Manager, Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City, Dubai
On property level, we are already seeing spikes on inbound business travel, booking patterns, and occupancy that is significantly higher versus last year. Based on increased overall pipeline activity we anticipate luxury and premium hotels to outperform the market this year for the region. Optimistically, Dubai’s hospitality sector is poised to welcome a surge in international visitors in 2023, surpassing previous year’s numbers. Looking at available data, Dubai experienced a remarkable recovery in 2022 with nearly 14.4 million overnight visitors, a significant increase of 97 per cent compared to 2021 and 86 per cent of the 2019 figures. These trends reinforce our confidence in the growing appeal of Dubai’s hospitality sector, making it a top destination.
Manish Jha, General Manager, NH Collection Dubai The Palm
Dubai has experienced remarkable growth in international tourists visiting the city in the recent years. The hospitality sector has played a crucial role in attracting and accommodating these visitors with world-class amenities and services. The number of tourists visiting Dubai has increased significantly from 2021 to 2022 and now we are seeing a remarkable increase in 2023 already. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including the city’s strategic location, diverse demographic, world-renowned attractions, and cultural heritage. The hospitality industry has responded by expanding its offerings to meet the demand. New hotels, such as our own NH Collection Dubai The Palm, and restaurants and entertainment venues are opening regularly.
Nishan Silva, Cluster General Manager, MAF-Accor Properties
Since 1998, we have been welcoming guests from around the world, and have seen the steady increase in international business and leisure visitors year on year. Dubai experienced a brilliant recovery in 2022 with nearly 14.4 million overnight visitors. Aligning our strategies to reflect the Department of Economy and Tourism’s ambition to position Dubai as one of the most visited and re-visited cities in the world, our hotel cluster has adapted to the changing demands of the global traveller. In addition to our authentic and holistic approach to the guests’ journey, and our creative Food & Beverage offering, as a company we have a strong commitment to welcoming international guest as Dubai prepares for COP28.
