Dubai’s stunning architecture, fancy hotels, giant shopping malls and glittering skylines seldom fail to amaze nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers, history buffs, art connoisseurs and foodies.
To be this perfect and popular, Dubai had to undergo a huge transformation, and it gladly did so. Offering a beautiful blend of contemporary lifestyle and ancient ambiance, Dubai takes pride in its culture and heritage – and is often called The Pearl of the Middle East.
Tourism Performance Report highlights Dubai’s global appeal
Performance by source market:
Dubai recorded 7.15 million international visitors in the first four months of 2025, compared to 6.68 million in the same period last year. These numbers easily highlight Dubai’s appeal among tourists from across the globe.
In terms of source market, 15% of international visitors came from GCC region, 11% from Mena region, 9% from North Asia and South East Asia, 16% from CIS and Eastern Europe, 14% from South Asia and 22% from Western Europe.
2% of international visitors came from Australasia, 4% from Africa and 7% from Americas. Western Europe occupies the largest space on the chart, underscoring the popularity of Dubai among people from this part of the globe.
Supply and demand: accommodation
It has been rightfully said that numbers don’t lie. In 2025, 5 star hotels in Dubai supplied 54,119 rooms and these establishments noted an average occupancy of 83%. 85% is the occupancy rate for 4 star hotels in Dubai, supplying 43,796 rooms.
Hotels in the 1-3 star categories supplied 29,400 rooms for the first four months of the current year and noted an occupancy rate of 82%. Hotel apartment (deluxe or superior) and hotel apartment (standard) noted 86% and 83% occupancy rates, respectively.
Compared to 3.81 nights in 2024, the length of stay for hotel guests in 2025 is at 3.84. This is a notable increase, for establishing Dubai’s increasing appeal among global tourists. For more information about tourism performance, check out this link.
Paradise for foodies? Gastronomy Industry Report 2024
The 2024 edition of the Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report reinforces the city’s position as a global culinary hub, highlighting its international recognition and influence on the future of the F&B sector. Let’s understand.
Dubai’s gastronomy sector continues to support tourism as food increasingly shapes travel decisions. Dubai is a melting pot of cultures – home to nearly 200 nationalities – and this has contributed to a food scene that is dynamic and globally influenced.
Dubai ranks first globally for fine dining, outperforming some of the most popular culinary cities across the globe. The number of fresh restaurant licences issued in Dubai last year is almost 1,200, cementing its position as a leading gastronomy hub.
Recently, the fourth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai took place and 119 establishments made it to the prestigious list. This year, a couple of One MICHELIN Star restaurants and 2 Three MICHELIN Star restaurants are in the spotlight.
This marked a historical moment for Dubai’s culinary scene. FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio are the Three MICHELIN Star restaurants to earn the Guide’s highest accolade. You can find more details about these dining hotspots in our detailed article.
Top reasons to plan a trip to Dubai
Dubai International (DXB) handled a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024. This marks an annual increase of nearly 6%, solidifying the Emirate’s position as a global tourist destination. The city attracted 18.7 million international tourists in the same period.
Dubai is looking to establish itself as one of the top three cities on a global basis in the next decade and double the size of its economy by 2033. The Emirate is pursuing a strategy that prioritises tourism, hospitality, technology and trade.
In order to increase its global appeal, Dubai is simplifying visa procedures and building key infrastructure. Because of the anticipated rise in passenger traffic, Dubai is also expanding its second hub, Al Maktoum International.
1. Paradise for shoppers
Shopping and Dubai go hand in hand. Can you imagine that tens of thousands of people plans trips to Dubai each year just for the sake of shopping? Shop till you drop – find the actual meaning of this experience right in this UAE megacity.
There are dozens of shopping malls in Dubai. You can also find souks, selling gold, spices, perfumes and more. The Dubai Mall, for instance, can easily channelise your inner shopaholic. It is the perfect place to indulge in retail therapy and entertainment.
2. Memorable desert experience
Desert safari is an indispensable part of Dubai tourism. This Emirate, and the other six Emirates too, make it their priority to let their guests get the most memorable desert experience. You can try out stargazing and dune bashing, among others.
Don’t forget to add sunrise and sunset to your itinerary. These are important additions and so are sand skiing and quad biking to make your stay all the more memorable and trilling. You can find more details of this experience in our article.
3. Glistening beaches and artificial islands
In recent years, Dubai has also established itself as a popular seaside destination. You can find dozens of scenic beaches in the city, offering the requisite amenities such as beach loungers, changing rooms, eating joints and cabanas.
Dubai also has its fair share of artificial islands, including the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Home to a number of luxury resorts, hotels and private residences, Palm Jumeirah is becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction in Dubai.
4. Heritage tours
There is so much to see and do in Dubai, and heritage tours are certainly a big part of it. Dubai is home to a number of historical places, including Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Hatta Heritage Village, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House and more.
Heritage Express Dubai is another important of the city, offering a range of experiences to its customers. These meticulously designed buses pass by historical landmarks, offer full Emirati buffet, and professional photography. You can find more details in our article.
5. Incredible nightlife
Dubai sees soaring temperatures during the daytime, especially in the summer season. But as the sun sets, things start to get more interesting. Dubai puts on a completely different look, letting tourists and residents alike enjoy the iconic ‘Dubai nightlife’.
You can head to Dubai Marina for a leisurely stroll or go for a luxurious yacht ride. There is also the opportunity to dine at notable restaurants and simultaneously soak in spectacular glimpses of the city. You can also opt for a drive along Sheikh Zayed Road.
6. Paradise for thrill seekers
It is not possible to emphasize enough Dubai’s popularity among thrill seekers. Dubai is one of the best places across the globe for adrenaline junkies. For example, head to Skydive Dubai for an experience of a lifetime. You can find more details in this article.
You can also add quad biking, desert safari, sand boarding, camping and hot air ballooning to your itinerary. Nonetheless, there are dozens of luxury hotels in Dubai, ensuring a long list of incredible experiences for their customers.
7. Unique architecture
Dubai is famous for its brilliant architecture. This UAE Emirate is full of spectacular sky-high buildings, including Burj Khalifa – the tallest on the planet. Burj Khalifa is one of the finest specimens of Dubai’s architectural brilliance, besides Burj Al Arab.
You can book a cab or use ride-hailing platforms to experience the architectural significance of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. Plus, helicopter tours are a big part of the city’s tourism landscape. You can find more details on it in our article.
8. Memorable dining
Dubai is a great place for foodies, as already mentioned in the gastronomy report section of this article. You can find hundreds of restaurants in Dubai, catering to different tastes and featuring different cuisines such as Lebanese, Indian, Japanese, Chinese and Italian.
Dubai also has a number of different options for vegans. Dubai is a paradise for those seeking fine dining. You can find dining outlets offering the perfect ambiance, amazing hospitality and exotic dishes that are sure to leave you spoiled.
Planning a trip to Dubai anytime soon? Dubai International is one of the busiest airports globally, catering to the needs of millions of passengers on an annual basis. The best part is the popular Marhaba Meet and Greet option at DXB.
Marhaba Meet and Greet is ideal for frequent and business passengers to fast-track them through immigration. But other passengers can also make the most of this service to experience the best in hospitality and comfort.
Happy exploring! Don’t forget to take home the sensational FIX Dubai chocolate home. The brand has been selling its viral Pistachio Kunafa bars at Dubai Duty Free since last month. Find more details in our article.
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