Portuguese market records 18% growth in visitors to Dubai in 2024

Dubai achieved its best-ever performance in 2024, registering 18.72 million international visitors over the year, representing a 9% increase compared to the previous year, when there were 17.15 million tourist arrivals. Last year’s figure also surpassed the previous record, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The DET highlights that the Portuguese market registered an 18% growth in the number of visitors to Dubai last year, reinforcing the growing interest of Portuguese travelers in the destination.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) says the growth “is in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to further cement Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work.”

In terms of source markets, Dubai remains the top travel destination for visitors from both major traditional and emerging markets.

From a regional perspective, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) contributed 28% of the number of international tourists.

Western Europe and South Asia accounted for 19% and 18% of arrivals respectively, while the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and Eastern Europe contributed 13%.

North Asia and Southeast Asia accounted for 9% of arrivals, the Americas contributed 7%, Africa 4% and Australasia 2%.

The Department of Economy and Tourism, regarding the performance of the destination's hotel sector, says that “it continued to perform strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in all hospitality metrics – occupancy, overnight stays, average stay, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR)”.

“The average daily rate (ADR) rose slightly to AED538, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 2% to AED421. The average occupancy rate for the hotel sector in 2024 stood at 78.2%, an exceptional achievement considering the overall increase in room supply, when at the end of 2024, the city had a total of 154,016 rooms distributed across 832 establishments, an increase compared to the 150,291 rooms in 821 establishments registered in 2023”, reads the statement.

“Dubai’s remarkable tourism performance in 2024 reflects the sustained commitment and strategic efforts of our extensive network of partners and stakeholders, as well as the guidance of our city’s visionary leadership. Our go-to-market strategy, built on tailored and diverse campaigns, has been crucial in showcasing Dubai’s diverse tourism offerings to the world, and we have leveraged strong partnerships with private and public sector organisations and individuals to increase our global reach and promote Dubai as a leading hub for business, leisure and innovation,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).

Dubai is ranked in the top 5 of Numbeo's City Safety Index Ranking.

Work has begun on the new AED128 billion passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which will be the largest in the world when fully operational and will eventually allow the airport to handle 260 million passengers annually.

Aligned with the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 and initiatives to transform Dubai into a “20-Minute City”, the Dubai Metro Blue Line extension will cover 30 kilometres, connect 14 stations and serve an estimated population of around one million people.