Dubai Welcomes 5.3M Tourists, Boosts Travel Trade Ties

Dubai Tourism expanded strategic partnerships with global players such as Amadeus, Premier Inn Middle East and Hyatt Hotels, alongside initiatives like the Global College of Tourism's collaboration with Marriott International to enhance Emirati workforce participation. These efforts bolster Dubai's strategy of maintaining strong performance across more than 80 source markets.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism DET is set to reinforce its connections with the global travel trade community at the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market as the city records impressive growth in international visitor numbers. Dubai welcomed 5.31 million international tourists from January to March 2025, marking a 3% year-on-year increase compared to Q1 2024. This reflects sustained momentum after back-to-back record-breaking years.

Speaking ahead of ATM 2025, Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, emphasised the strategic relevance of tourism to Dubai's economic vision. "The sustained growth of tourism is a key component of Dubai's economic vision. "The sustained growth of the tourism sector continues to be vital not only through its direct economic impact but as a pathway to investment, talent, and businesses into the city," he said. The event at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May features over 125 stakeholders on teh Dubai stand including major features over 125 stakeholders on the Dubai stand, including major hotels, destination management companies, and key government entities.

DET's presence at ATM aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to double the size of teh city's economy by 2033. In Q1 2025, Dubai expanded strategic partnerships with global players such as Amadeus, Premier Inn Middle East and Hyatt Hotels alongside initiatives like the Dubai College of Tourism's collaboration with Marriott International to enhance Emirati workforce participation. These efforts bolster Dubai's strategy of maintaining strong performance across more than 80 source markets.

Regional visitor data from Q1 reveals Western Europe as the top contributor, accounting for 22% of arrivals, followed by CIS and Eastern Europe, 17% and the GCC, 15%. Southeast Asia and MENA also contributed significantly. Dubai's hospitality sector mirrored this positive trend, with the average daily rate rising 2% yearly to AED 647 and room occupancy maintaining robust levels.

In addition to tourism growth, Dubai's accommodation and food services sector grew by 3.7% during the first quarter of 2024, reinforcing its role in driving the emirate's GDP and solidifying its top global ranking for attracting Greenfield FDI projects in the tourism and F&B sectors for the fourth consecutive year.

#dubaitourism #dubaitravel #travelnews #uaetourism #tourismupdate #trendingdestination