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Dubai at the forefront of global tourism sector, records 17 million entries in 2023


Dubai has experienced a record-breaking 17 million international visits in 2023, marking the best-ever year for tourism and the first year ahead of pre-pandemic numbers. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announced the growth of 19.4%, establishing Dubai as a leading destination with one of the world’s highest hotel occupancy rates of 77.4% and hotel capacity expanding to over 150,000 rooms. The city reached 16.73 million travelers in 2019, with a target of 20 million by 2020. Dubai has yet to announce an objective for tourism in 2024. The record-breaking figures align with the objectives of Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double Dubai’s economy over the next decade and consolidate its position among the top three global cities.

Chair Executive Officer of Dubai Tourism Issam Kazim stated that Dubai will improve its marketing around affordability in 2024. He emphasized that the emirate as a destination has matured, moving away from building mega-structures for image sake and more towards becoming a place tourists would want to one day live. The city has 200 nationalities, retaining its culture and becoming a multinational city. Dubai’s economy expanded by an annual 3.3% in the first nine months of 2023, driven by growth in the tourism and transportation sectors. 

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