Dubai received 9.88 million international visitors in the first six months of 2025, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said.
In a post on X, Sheikh Hamdan said the achievement reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to position the emirate among the world's top three global tourism destinations, a target set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
"The achievement has been driven by strong public-private partnerships and an effective global marketing strategy. A warm welcome to all our visitors – from the heart of the world – Dubai," Sheikh Hamdan said.
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) said the latest figure represents a 6 per cent year on year increase.
The data highlights Dubai's continuing growth as a global tourism hub, building on its record-breaking year of last year, when the city welcomed more than 18.72 million international visitors.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Dubai's diversified economy, significantly contributing to the country's gross domestic product and job creation.
The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, launched in January 2023, aims to double the size of the emirate's economy to Dh32 trillion ($8.7 trillion) by 2033.
It features 100 transformational projects designed to make Dubai one of the world's top three cities for tourism, trade and investment. Enhancing visitor experiences and attracting global talent are central pillars of the agenda.
Source markets
Western Europe was the largest source market to Dubai and accounted for 22 per cent of visitors, followed by the CIS and Eastern Europe, and South Asia at 15 per cent each.
Combined, the GCC and Middle East and North Africa regions contributed 26 per cent of arrivals, with 1.51 million and 1.12 million arrivals, respectively.
Dubai's hotel sector achieved 80.6 per cent average occupancy, with 22.24 million room nights sold in the first six months of 2025, marking a 4 per cent increase from last year.
The average daily rate rose by 5 per cent, while revenue per available room increased by 7 per cent.
The emirate's accommodation portfolio reached 152,483 rooms across 822 establishments.
Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of DET, said Dubai's strong tourism performance "reflects the enduring strength and adaptability of our economic model, even amid persistent global headwinds".
Investments in luxury, wellness and experiential travel are helping sustain growth, he added.
Issam Kazim, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said public-private partnerships and community engagement "have been instrumental in showcasing Dubai's destination offering to the world".
A year-round calendar of leisure, trade and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events have further diversified the city’s visitor base and generated significant economic impact, he added.
Infrastructure and sustainability
Under D33, Dubai has expanded its tourism offerings through the introduction of new attractions, cultural initiatives and infrastructure investments.
Significant developments, including theme parks, luxury resorts and expanded entertainment districts have strengthened Dubai's appeal to international travellers.
The government has also made efforts to enhance accessibility and sustainability in tourism, supporting inclusive destination certification and innovative urban projects, among others.
Combined with strong airline connectivity through Emirates and flydubai, these measures have positioned Dubai as a leading choice for leisure and business travellers alike.
With visitor numbers rising steadily, Dubai appears on track to surpass last year's record, advancing its goal of ranking among the world's top three global tourism destinations by 2033.
