Dubai just hit its annual tourism record with 17 million visitors!

Milestones - Just another record set on a Tuesday for Dubai, nothing new.

But this one might be a big one, and definitely one you want to pull your attention to - In a year of remarkable milestones, Dubai soared to new heights in tourism, setting a sensational record with welcoming over 17 million international visitors in 2023!

The vibrant streets and iconic landmarks shine even brighter with more eyes in their direction - not to mention, foreign real estate fuelled Dubai’s property market to insanely new heights! Despite socio-economic issues surrounding, the rise of tourism and the market’s incredible performance show that Dubai continues to stand as a haven for foreigners!

So, let us break down these seriously cool figures…

According to the latest figures released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai welcomed a rising 17.15 million overnight visitors throughout the year, which was a 19.4% increase compared to the previous year's 14.36 million tourist arrivals - that’s amazing, isn’t it!

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, shared this extraordinary achievement to his social platforms. He shared how this remarkable milestone not only surpasses pre-pandemic records but also comes in seamlessly with the goals outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This agenda aims to elevate Dubai's stature as the ultimate destination for living, working, and leisure - clearly with 17 million tourists and a booming economy for foreign tourism, we aren’t far from it!

Diving deeper - How did tourism boost the economy in 2023?

A closer look at the tourism landscape: The economy saw impressive occupancy rates, with the hotel sector boasting an average occupancy of 77.4 percent in 2023. With a room inventory of 150,000 rooms across 821 establishments, Dubai's hospitality sector continues to set global benchmarks, recording a remarkable 41.70 million occupied room nights.

Dubai's global dominance also extends to air travel and connectivity, with Dubai International Airport retaining its title as the World's Busiest Airport for international travellers and with another terminal underway, this is just the beginning for the city.

What’s even better you might ask?

With Dubai trumping in 2024 as TripAdvisor’s Number 1 tourist destination, and aiming to have 5.8 million residents by the end of 2030 - tourism booming is just a stepping stone to a hattrick victory for Dubai’s economy to further boom to new heights.

Not to mention, with an increased demand for properties in Dubai, the surge for branded residences also shot up, which attracted even more developers to continue reshaping the market and fuel the desire for more residents and foreign investments. As Dubai continues to captivate hearts and minds with its incredible opportunities and hospitality, it is setting the stage for another year of unprecedented success in tourism, real estate and others.

So, are you planning to call Dubai home?

If you’re convinced Dubai is the place for you, why not house hunt in advance? We’ve got some great live listings you could check out, be it residential sales or residential lettings - your dream home is just around the corner!

And if you’re planning a visit - check out our holiday homes in some of Dubai’s most prime locations!