Dubai welcomes 18.72 million international visitors in 2024, up 9% year-on-year
In yet another remarkable annual performance, Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors from January to December 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase that surpasses the previous record of 17.15 million in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Marking consecutive years of record-setting growth for the city, the achievement reinforces the city’s position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations. It demonstrates the success of its strategic approach in expanding the sector and investing in infrastructure and talent to meet growing demand.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said that Dubai’s record-breaking tourism growth reflects the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, embodied in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, to consolidate the city’s status as a global hub for business and leisure and one of the world’s best cities to visit, live and work in.
“This achievement results from visionary leadership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. We are committed to maintaining this exceptional growth momentum. Through strategic innovation, infrastructure development, talent acquisition, and market diversification, we will continue to enhance Dubai’s competitiveness, attract more international visitors, and enhance tourism’s role as a key driver of economic growth,” His Highness said.
Sheikh Hamdan also highlighted the city’s strategic focus on expanding foreign investment and attracting global talent to further accelerate growth. “By continuing to create new opportunities and value-driven offerings for the global traveller, Dubai will not only maintain its status as a preferred destination but also strengthen its position at the forefront of global growth in the sector,” he added.
Impactful local and international partnerships, creative and targeted global campaigns, and major events were among the key contributing factors that drove Dubai’s tourism sector to another record-breaking year in 2024.
Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the increase in international visitation aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.
It also builds on Dubai’s ranking as the number one city globally for FDI into tourism, among other sectors, according to the Financial Times Ltd’s ‘fDi Markets’ data for H1 2024, and the announcement of key infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), that will provide the platform for strategic growth, further optimising the destination experience for all visitors and residents.
Dubai International Chamber attracts 51 multinational companies to Dubai during 2024
Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, continued to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the emirate and support the expansion of local companies into new international markets throughout 2024. The chamber’s efforts contributed to Dubai’s sustainable economic growth and further enhanced foreign trade with key markets across the globe.
Dubai International Chamber successfully attracted 207 companies to Dubai in 2024, including both multinational companies (MNCs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This reflects a growth of 56% compared to the 133 companies attracted during the previous year.
The companies attracted by the chamber in 2024 included 51 MNCs, an increase of 55% compared to the 33 attracted in 2023. The chamber also attracted 156 SMEs during the same period, a 56% increase compared to the 100 attracted in 2023. In addition, the Dubai International Chamber successfully supported the expansion of 114 local companies into new global markets, an increase of 48% compared to the 77 companies supported in 2023.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, commented: “The results achieved during 2024 reflect the impact of the chamber’s efforts to enhance Dubai’s appeal among global investors and support the growth of the local business community on the international stage.”
Bin Sulayem added: “The chamber’s international offices play a vital role in showcasing the opportunities Dubai offers for international investors and supporting multinational companies in leveraging the emirate’s competitive advantages, as well as enhancing the capabilities of Dubai-based companies to expand their operations into key international markets.”
Last year, the Dubai International Chamber inaugurated two new offices in Kazakhstan and Colombia, bringing its total number of international representative offices to 33. This expansion strengthens efforts to attract foreign investment and supports businesses in Dubai in exploring new economic and trade opportunities in promising global markets. In line with its drive to enhance international cooperation, the chamber hosted 182 visiting delegations last year with a total of 500 participants, as well as participating in 127 global events in 78 cities across 50 countries.
As part of the ‘New Horizons’ initiative, the Dubai International Chamber organised trade missions to Indonesia, Vietnam, Senegal, Morocco, Serbia, Türkiye, Uganda, and Tanzania in 2024. During the missions, a total of 2,205 bilateral business meetings were arranged between participating companies from Dubai and their counterparts in these markets, marking an 88% increase in the number of meetings compared to 2023.
As part of its drive to strengthen efforts in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Dubai, the chamber launched international editions of the Dubai Business Forum last year. These included the Dubai Business Forum – China in Beijing and the Dubai Business Forum – UK in London, which collectively attracted 1,150 participants.
A first in the MENA region: Expo City Dubai master plan pre-certified in two globally recognised social and environmental sustainability systems
The Expo City Dubai master plan has attained two pre-certifications of globally recognised social and environmental sustainability systems, a testament to its commitment to developing an innovation-driven, people-centric community, maximising social, environmental and economic impact, and advancing international best practices in the region.
Expo City Dubai is now pre-certified Platinum – the highest possible rating – in the LEED Cities and Communities standard, which focuses on inclusivity, economic development and environmental preservation. LEED is the most widely used ‘green’ rating system in the world for real estate and the urban environment. The city also achieved pre-certification for WELL Community – a standard that emphasises health and well-being and is the leading international standard for a healthy built environment – and is targeting WELL Gold for its anticipated certification.
Expo City Dubai is the only urban centre in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve this combination of pre-certifications and the first in the region to achieve WELL Community pre-certification. The achievements, announced at the Cities in Action Forum taking place from 6-7 February, exemplify the city’s commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable and equitable community for tenants, visitors and future residents and enhance its appeal to investors and developers.
Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer, Expo City Dubai, said: “Expo City’s master plan is rooted in the principles of sustainable development, and we are proud to have this commitment globally recognised as we push forward on the master plan’s delivery. Our pre-certification in LEED and WELL community standards shows we are on track to meet our ambitious targets and reinforces our city’s robust position as a new urban centre at the heart of Dubai’s growth corridor. The unique offering of our city – a vibrant, nurturing community where people connect, thrive and live in harmony with nature – is reflected in the incredible demand for every Expo City Dubai real estate project launched, including commercial leasing, residential developments and plots for sale.”
The pre-certifications underscore the unparalleled opportunity offered by Expo City’s forward-thinking, people- and environment-focused master plan that takes advantage of its prime location and world-class connectivity. The lynchpin of Dubai’s growth is located in the rapidly expanding Dubai South area, Expo City Dubai is close to Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Exhibition Centre.
The master plan features five districts designed as an efficient grid system to ensure navigation, circulation and accessibility, while a network of green and blue spaces – from parks and fields to small sikkas and urban water features – will permeate throughout.
It contains specific targets across areas including: protecting and increasing biodiversity; reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of clean energy; reducing water consumption and increasing the use of alternative water sources; increasing the use of sustainable, lower carbon public transport options and creating spaces that encourage walking, cycling and micro-mobility; and facilitating economic opportunity and creating a quality work environment.
LEED Cities and Communities, managed by the US Green Building Council, addresses various factors that contribute to the quality of life, including natural systems, energy, water, waste and transportation, as well as optimising the operational aspects of a city through its design. Pre-certification is granted based on Expo City’s master plan information and associated data. Expo City Dubai, including the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Expo Village, is already home to 123 LEED-certified buildings, and the master plan further sets the target of LEED Gold as a minimum requirement for all buildings.
Meanwhile, the WELL Community standard, created by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) gives pre-certification to real estate projects that demonstrate a commitment to health and wellbeing across 10 areas: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community.
Reaffirming its role as a focal point on the 2040 Urban Master Plan as it becomes a hub for key sectors driving the delivery of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Expo City will cover a total of 3.5sqkm, embracing a gradual phased development that will adapt to evolving needs and eventually welcome around 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals.