Dubai sees major surge in international visitors

Dubai welcomed 7.28 million international overnight visitors in 2021, which is a 32 per cent growth year-over-year.

According to the latest data published by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city attracted 3.4 million visitors in the fourth quarter of 2021, paving the way for hotels to deliver a stellar performance that surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

The figures underline the resilience and resurgence of Dubai's travel and tourism sector and reaffirm the role of tourism as a key driver of economic growth.

The performance further validates the emirate's recent selection as the world’s most popular destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022.

Dubai’s key international markets regained momentum in 2021, led by 910,000 visitors from its No.1 source market India, followed by Saudi Arabia (491,000 travellers), Russia (444,000) and the UK (420,000).

The total number of rooms sold in Dubai during 2021 is almost one per cent of all rooms sold worldwide

Average hotel occupancy reached 67 per cent last year, which is among the highest occupancy numbers internationally.

#Dubai welcomes 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021, setting a momentous marker for global tourism recovery. pic.twitter.com/sTw7LjWj3h

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 3, 2022

#Dubai welcomes 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021, setting a momentous marker for global tourism recovery.https://t.co/u4DpHrqQP3 pic.twitter.com/cdsAGPlB96

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 3, 2022