Dubai is officially ahead of its 2019 tourism levels, which was a record-breaking year for the emirate. Dubai Tourism’s May 2023 data recorded 7.39 million international visits YTD, slightly higher than May 2019’s 7.16 million.
It is hoped by the Dubai government that the city will beat its FY 2019 numbers by the end of 2023.
The majority of Dubai’s top 20 source markets are all ahead of May 2019 levels too. India accounted for 1.038 million visitors up to May 2023 compared to 846,000 in May 2019.
The second-biggest source market for Dubai now is Russia, which made up 554,000 international arrivals compared to 362,000 in May 2019.
Source markets which are down compared to May 2019 include UK, France, KSA and of course, China. Up to May 2023, 203,000 Chinese travellers have come into Dubai, a 295 percent surge YOY but down against May 2019’s 433,000.
Dubai Tourism success
Last month, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council reviewed Dubai’s overall economic performance up to H1 2023.
H.H. said: “Dubai’s economic performance indicators for the first half of 2023 have exceeded expectations. These exceptional results bolster our outlook for record results in the coming months. We look forward to a new, strong beginning in 2024, during which we seek to further enhance the business environment and accelerate economic growth in order to contribute to the goals of Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
Issam Kazim wants to convert Dubai’s tourists into full-time residents
During this year’s City Briefing, Issam Kazim told the emirate’s hospitality leaders he wants to convert holiday-makers into residents.
Kazim said: “Today we have two new KPIs. We want to make sure Dubai continues to be one of the best cities to work in, and more importantly, one of the best cities in the world to live in.”
Source: Hotelier Middle East
