Dubai records new tourism milestones

Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking a five per cent increase on the previous year and a third consecutive year of record‑breaking tourism growth.

The figures were released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, which said the city also recorded its strongest ever month in December, welcoming more than two million visitors for the first time.

Hotel performance also improved, with average occupancy rising to just over 80 per cent last year, compared to 78 per cent in 2024.

Officials credited the growth to strategic partnerships, global marketing campaigns and major international events, supported by collaboration with more than 3,000 global partners.

Western Europe remained Dubai’s largest source market, followed by Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the GCC and wider Middle East region, which together accounted for more than a quarter of all visitors.

December alone saw a six per cent year‑on‑year increase in arrivals.

Dubai’s hotel and hospitality sector also recorded strong growth, with the city ending 2025 with more than 154,000 hotel rooms across 827 properties, placing it among the world’s leading destinations for hotel capacity.

New openings were recorded across all segments and locations throughout the year.

To support continued expansion, several new initiatives were launched, including a hotel incentive programme aimed at high‑growth areas such as Dubai South and Palm Jebel Ali, as well as a new contactless hotel check‑in system designed to streamline the guest experience and maximise time spent in the city.

Dubai’s tourism industry achieves third successive record-breaking year with 19.59 million international visitors in 2025, up 5% YoY@DubaiDET pic.twitter.com/ROIPbd4nxg

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 9, 2026