A 6 per cent year-on-year increase highlights Dubai’s growing global appeal and strategic tourism push
Dubai is once again making global headlines, this time for welcoming 9.88 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2025, according to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
The numbers represent a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and signal a strong first half for a city that continues to redefine urban tourism through innovation, connectivity, and unmatched visitor experiences.
From skyline views to desert adventures, Dubai’s appeal spans every kind of traveller; and that broad-based allure is paying off.
The increase in visitors is being driven by a mix of strategic public-private collaborations, expansive marketing campaigns, and the ongoing evolution of Dubai’s tourism ecosystem, which now includes new attractions, cultural events, upgraded transport links, and ever-growing hospitality options.
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With support from more than 3,000 global and domestic partners, Dubai’s tourism engine continues to expand into key source markets, with growth reported across Europe, South Asia, the GCC, the Americas, and East Asia. The city’s visa reforms, world-class airports, and high-profile events like Art Dubai, GITEX, and Dubai Food Festival have all contributed to driving global footfall.
The mid-year figure also reinforces Dubai’s progress toward ambitious tourism goals set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the economy and position Dubai as one of the top three global cities by 2033.
Dubai’s performance continues to outpace global recovery averages, confirming its place as a top destination for both leisure and business travel.
And with the winter season and Expo City programming just around the corner, the second half of 2025 could push total visitor numbers to record-breaking levels.
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