Dubai recorded the highest number of annual tourist arrivals in its history in 2023, attracting 17.15 million overnight international visitors over the course of the year. The previous record stood at 16.73 million visitors registered in 2019.
Data released by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) showed that the number of visitors in 2023 represented a year-on-year growth of 19.4 percent from 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022.
The GCC and MENA regions together accounted for 28 per cent of the total number of visitors to the UAE last year. Western Europe and South Asia accounted for 19 percent and 18 percent of arrivals, respectively, while CIS/Eastern Europe recorded a 13 percent share. The North Asia and Southeast Asia region accounted for 9 percent of arrivals, the Americas 7 percent, Africa 4 percent and Australasia 2 percent.
The average occupancy of Dubai's hotel sector in 2023 was 77.4 percent. That occupancy rate comes as the emirate witnessed an overall 19 per cent increase in room supply in 2023 compared to 2019.
Dubai's hotel inventory at the end of December 2023 stood at 150,291 rooms across 821 properties, up from 146,496 rooms available at the end of December 2022 across 804 properties.
In 2023, occupied rooms reached a record 41.70 million, an increase of 11 percent compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represented a 30 percent increase over 2019's pre-pandemic numbers, which saw 32.11 million occupied accommodation nights.
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The average daily rate in 2023 stood at Dhs536, which matched the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector's RevPAR of Dhs415 in 2023 was also up 6 per cent from 2022 (Dhs391). The average guest length of stay was 3.8 nights in 2023.
The performance of the tourism sector accompanies the emirate's 3.3 percent GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023.
In terms of its events sector, the main business and leisure events held in 2023 were Gulfood (134,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors), Gitex Global Dubai (170,000 visitors and 6,000 exhibitors), the International Boat Show (30,000 visitors) and Arabian Travel Market (40,000 visitors). ). Dubai Business Events, part of DET and the city's official convention bureau, has won a record 349 bids to host international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentive travel programs in the coming years.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce (DCTCM), said: “Sustained success will further enhance visitors' long-standing trust and affinity for Dubai, as it moves towards the goal of becoming in the best city to visit”. , live and work and ultimately convert visitors into long-term residents. We are strategically leveraging the significant momentum generated during a highly successful 2023 to drive growth across all tourism segments. As we look forward to welcoming more visitors in 2024, the unwavering support of our public and private sector partners will be instrumental in enhancing our ability to showcase our unparalleled offerings designed to meet the diverse preferences and budgets of international travelers.”
The latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization reveals that overall international tourism reached 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. The only region to exceed pre-pandemic levels with growth in visits of 22 percent compared to 2019 was the Middle East. This.
dubaitourism.gov.ae
