Dubai’s Tourism Sector Sets New Records

Dubai has reinforced its status as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations during the first half of 2025, welcoming nearly 10 million international visitors – a 6.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

According to a report by consulting firm Cavendish Maxwell, hotel occupancy rates reached 81%, marking a 4.5% rise from the previous year. The average daily room rate also grew by 5.5%, exceeding 745 dirhams.

The emirate currently boasts more than 730 hotels offering a combined total of 152,000 rooms. An additional 19 hotels with 5,000 rooms are scheduled to open by the end of 2025, including the Mandarin Oriental Downtown and Jumeirah Living Business Bay. Luxury developments such as Ciel Dubai Marina and the Dorchester Collection Ela by Omniyat are expected to dominate the market in 2026.

This growth has been fueled by strategic government initiatives, a packed events calendar, and new international air routes. Tourists from Western Europe contributed the largest share of visitors at 21%, followed by travelers from CIS and Eastern European countries (15.4%) and Gulf Cooperation Council states (15.3%). Hotel occupancy in Dubai is projected to average 78.5% for the full year of 2025.

Source: Arabian Business