Dubai attracted 17 million international tourists in the first 11 months of 2024

Western Europe was the emirate’s top source market, accounting for 20 per cent of the total number of visitors

Dubai Creek with tourists and residents using the Abra water taxis to cross the waterway that divides Deira and Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dubai attracted 16.79 million international tourists in the first 11 months of 2024, with Western Europe its top source market followed by South Asia and GCC countries, as the emirate continues to expand its tourism sector.

The total number of tourists during the January-November period rose 9 per cent on an annual basis, Wam said on Friday citing a report from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

The emirate received the highest number of tourists in February at 1.9 million, 1.83 million in November and 1.77 million in January. The total tourist arrivals in the emirate reached 1.67 million in October and 1.51 million in March.

Western Europe accounted for 20 per cent of the total number of visitors during the period, with 3.29 million tourists, followed by South Asia with 2.85 million tourists, accounting for 17 per cent of the total number of visitors.

GCC accounted for 15 per cent of the total number of visitors at more than 2.5 million while Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe came fourth with 2.35 million tourists.

Dubai, a major trade, tourism and commercial hub in the Middle East, is simplifying visa procedures and building new infrastructure as it aims to attract more tourists to the emirate.

Last year, it granted 14-day entry visa for Indian nationals with valid tourist visas from the US, UK and EU as part of plans to attract more tourists from the world’s most populous country.

It is also constructing a new terminal at Al Maktoum Airport with a total investment of Dh128 billion ($34.8 billion) to boost its capacity to 260 million passengers.

The number of hotel rooms in Dubai at the end of November stood at 153,390 hotel rooms in 828 properties, compared to 149,685 hotel rooms in 820 properties at the end of November 2023, the latest data show.

The number of hotel rooms booked during the first 11 months of last year exceeded 39.19 million, up 3 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, while the average length of stay for guests was 3.6 nights.

The number of available five-star hotel rooms during the period reached 53,977 rooms in 168 properties, accounting for 35 per cent of the total number of hotel rooms in Dubai, while the number of four-star rooms reached 43,345 rooms in 194 properties.

The average daily rate during the period rose 2 per cent to Dh520, while the average revenue per available room (RevPAR) jumped 3 per cent to Dh405, according to the latest data.

Dubai’s economy grew by 3.3 per cent annually in the second quarter of 2024 to reach Dh116 billion, driven by non-oil sectors including tourism and technology.

Growth in the April-June period was slightly higher than the 3.2 per cent economic expansion recorded in the first three months of the year, as the emirate continues to focus on growing its non-oil industries.

For the first half of the year, the emirate’s economy grew by 3.2 per cent to reach Dh231 billion, the Dubai Media office said in November.