Dubai’s tourism sector is setting new records in 2025. According to the latest data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city welcomed 8.68 million international visitors between January and May 2025—marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
This surge builds on the remarkable momentum from 2024, which saw 18.72 million tourists, setting back-to-back yearly records for the emirate. In May alone, 1.53 million tourists chose Dubai as their destination.
Europe and CIS Countries Drive Visitor Growth
Western Europe topped the list of source markets, contributing 1.917 million visitors (22% of the total). Russia, Eastern Europe, and CIS countries followed closely, accounting for 1.396 million tourists (16%).
Other key contributors included:
GCC countries: 1.275 million visitors
South Asia: 1.242 million visitors
Middle East & North Africa: 989,000 visitors
Northeast & Southeast Asia: 771,000 visitors
Americas: 601,000 visitors
Africa: 346,000 visitors
Australia: 141,000 visitors
This diverse mix highlights Dubai’s broad appeal across continents and cultures.
Hotel Occupancy Hits 83% as Room Rates Rise
Dubai’s hotel sector continues to thrive alongside rising tourism. By the end of May 2025, the city had 825 hotels offering 153,356 rooms—up from 150,202 rooms in 2024.
Key performance highlights include:
Average occupancy rate: 83% (up from 81% in 2024)
Total occupied room nights: 19.09 million (up 4%)
Average length of stay: 3.8 nights
Average Daily Rate (ADR): AED620 (up 5% from AED590)
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR): AED513 (up 7% from AED478)
Dubai’s hotel industry continues to cater to a wide range of travelers—from budget-conscious tourists to luxury-seeking visitors—while maintaining strong growth and profitability.
A Look Back at 2024’s Record Year
To put this growth into perspective, Dubai hosted 18.72 million international overnight guests throughout 2024—a 9% year-over-year increase from 2023. The hotel sector ended that year with 832 establishments and 154,016 rooms, further proving the city’s resilience and readiness to meet growing demand.
The hospitality sector’s flexibility and consistent expansion have played a key role in Dubai’s tourism success, with average room rates and occupancy holding strong across all segments.
