DUBAI — Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking a 5% increase compared to 18.72 million arrivals in 2024, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
It’s the third successive year of record-setting figures, according to DET. The city ended the year by welcoming more than 2 million visitors in a single calendar month for the first time in December. DET attributed the growth to strategic partnerships, global marketing campaigns and major events.
“Guided by visionary leadership, Dubai’s record international visitation is a testament to global confidence in the destination and the effectiveness of policies aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, as well as the collective strength of partnerships across sectors and communities that defines our city,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), part of DET.
The Americas contributed 1.40 million visitors, representing a 7% share, of overall visitors to Dubai in 2025.
By the end of December, Dubai’s hotel inventory reached 154,264 rooms across 827 establishments, which puts it well ahead of global peer cities such as Bangkok, New York, Paris and Singapore, and almost on par with London in terms of total room inventory. The city welcomed new property openings across all segments and in various locations, including Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG, the world’s tallest hotel; Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab; Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai; Cheval Maison – Expo City; and Vida Dubai Mall.
Average occupancy for hotels in Dubai stood at 80.7% in 2025, up from 78.2% in 2024, according to DET’s hospitality metrics.
More 2025 highlights included Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (Visit Dubai) series of campaigns in 2025, including ‘Find Your Story’, with Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi.
In April 2025 Dubai was recognized as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. Dubai was also ranked as one of the world’s top 10 safest cities in Numbeo’s Safety Index by City and named the world’s best city for solo female travellers in a study by travel insurance company InsureMyTrip.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list was announced last October with Dubai having three properties included: Atlantis The Royal at No.6, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab a new entry at No.20, and The Lana Dubai at No.35.
Meanwhile Dubai International (DXB) retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, according to Airports Council International (ACI). DXB achieved its highest quarterly traffic in Q3 2025, welcoming 24.2 million guests between July and September – a 1.9% increase. Total traffic for the first nine months of 2025 was 70.1 million guests, a 2.1% increase.
Major events and festivals include the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) and Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC). Dubai’s flagship sustainability initiatives also achieved milestones in 2025.
