Dubai records 1.62 million overnight international visitors in H1 2024

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has intensified its promotional efforts in the South Asian market that continues to show great promise. With a focus on attracting more travellers to the city from India, to further bolster the current summer travel season. DET has been targeting potential markets through a comprehensive strategy including media familiarisation visits, participation in Arabian Travel Market and roadshows across key metropolitan areas, as well as Tier 2 and 3 cities across North and South India.

Dubai welcomed 1.62 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024 compared to the 1.60 million tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023 from the region. Overall, Dubai welcomed over 9.31 million international overnight visitors in H1 2024, showcasing a 9 per cent annual growth.  

The decision to focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities in India stems from a notable increase in outbound travel from these regions, driven by rising disposable incomes and interest in experiential travel among Indian travellers. With 13 to 15 million Indians obtaining passports annually, India will remain a crucial market for Dubai.

Between April and June 2024, DET organised mega familiarisation trips, hosting over 200 travel agents from major Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities across India. DET’s participation in trade exhibitions such as SATTE 2024 and ATM 2024 also enabled travel agents to get more insights into Dubai's diverse offerings, which aim to attract both new and repeat visitors.

In early June 2024, the tourism board concluded its first series of roadshows in India, covering Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and nearby Tier 2 and 3 cities. These events drew nearly 600 travel trade professionals from 10 cities, including Vizag, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Varanasi and Allahabad.

Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, stated, “Dubai values its long-standing relationship with India, and our inbound visitation from the market has been outstanding, thanks to exceptional flight connectivity, a convenient visa process, and a strong commitment to the Indian market. This has contributed to a record-breaking performance by our tourism sector. We are dedicated to showcasing various facets of Dubai through multi-city roadshows, trade workshops and mega familiarisation trips, as well as participation in major exhibitions, to further reinforce our position as the preferred outbound destination for Indian travellers.”