Hotel Management Network

Dubai records 9% increase in international visitors in H1 2024

Dubai's hotel sector witnessed an average occupancy rate of 78.7%, a slight increase from 77.7% in the previous year.

Dubai has reported a 9% increase in international overnight visitors in the first half (H1) of 2024, continuing its momentum from a record-breaking 2023.

According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), as reported by state news agency WAM, the city welcomed 9.31 million international guests from January to June, marking a 9% increase from the 8.55 million tourists during the same period last year.

The GCC and MENA regions contributed 26% of the overall visitors, with 1.27 million (14%) from the GCC and 1.09 million (12%) from the MENA region.

Western Europe accounted for 20% of visitors with 1.89 million arrivals. South Asia followed closely with 1.62 million (17%), and the CIS and Eastern Europe brought in 1.37 million (15%). Notably, North-East and South-East Asia saw a combined 10% share with 896,000 visitors, bolstered by a robust recovery from China.

Dubai's hotel sector has mirrored this positive trend, with an average occupancy rate of 78.7%, a slight increase from 77.7% in the previous year. The city's hotel establishments recorded a 3% rise in occupied room nights, totalling 21.35 million. Additionally, the average daily rate (ADR) for hotels climbed by 4%.

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) experienced a 6% uplift, and the total hotel inventory reached 150,879 rooms across 823 establishments. The first six months of 2024 also saw the launch of several high-profile hotels, such as The Lana by Dorchester Collection, SIRO One Za’abeel, and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences. These new openings are part of Dubai’s strategic plan to enhance its accommodation offerings to cater to the rising demand.

DET director-general Helal Saeed Almarri said: “Our success stems from a diversified market approach, strong public-private partnerships, liberal visa policies, and alternative growth pathways, all catalysts for the continued surge in both leisure and business visitation, along with increasing levels of investment and inflows of global talent. Looking ahead, we are committed to sustaining and building upon this trajectory, leveraging diverse source markets to enhance tourism’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP.”