The city welcomed as many as 18.72 million international visitors in 2024, which represents a nine percent rise year on year, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, said: "This achievement is the result of visionary leadership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
"We are committed to maintaining this exceptional growth momentum. Through strategic innovation, infrastructure development, talent acquisition, and market diversification, we will continue to enhance Dubai’s competitiveness, attract more international visitors, and enhance tourism’s role as a key driver of economic growth."
Dubai is making a concerted effort to expand foreign investment, and attract global talent, as part of its long-term economic plans.
Sheikh Hamdan explained: "By continuing to create new opportunities and value-driven offerings for the global traveller, Dubai will not only maintain its status as a preferred destination but also strengthen its position at the forefront of global growth in the sector."
Helal Saeed Almarri, the director general of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, believes the latest figures are a reflection of Sheikh Mohammed's "visionary leadership".
He said: "Through careful planning and dynamic, agile policy implementation, Dubai has successfully navigated global economic and geographic headwinds to achieve record-setting growth in tourism for a second consecutive year, having long resumed its pre-pandemic upward trajectory."
The director general also promised that Dubai's tourism sector won't rest on its laurels.
He explained: "As we move forward into 2025, Dubai will continue charting new avenues for growth. By transcending traditional tourism, fostering high-impact investment opportunities, nurturing entrepreneurship, and magnetising global talent, we will reinforce Dubai’s position as not only a preferred destination but also as a cornerstone of global economic leadership and innovation."
