Dubai Sets New Tourism Record with Over Seven Million International Visitors in Early 2025, Driven by Record Hotel Expansion, Strong Australasia Market Growth, and MICHELIN Guide Accolades

Published on June 19, 2025

Dubai has begun 2025 with a notable rise in international tourism, welcoming 7.15 million international overnight visitors between January and April. This reflects a seven percent growth year-on-year, building upon the 18.72 million visitors in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of setting new tourism records.

Robust Performance from Australasia and Expanding Hotel Inventory

Dubai’s appeal continues to grow internationally, with Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) emerging as a key market. Over 111,000 visitors arrived from this region in the first quarter of 2025, an impressive 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

In line with the surge in visitors, Dubai’s hospitality sector has seen significant growth. By the end of April 2025, the city’s hotel sector offered 153,534 rooms across the city, with key performance indicators showing strong growth across all segments, underscoring the city’s tourism infrastructure’s resilience.

Culinary Scene Drives Dubai’s Global Appeal

Dubai’s culinary landscape remains a major driver of tourism, as the city cements its position as a global gastronomic hub. The Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report for 2024 highlights the rapid expansion of the city’s food and beverage scene, with around 1,200 new restaurant licenses issued, showcasing investor confidence in the sector.

The 2025 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai reflects the city’s culinary prowess, with 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines. This marks a 12.3 percent increase from the 106 restaurants in 2024. Key achievements this year include:

• Dubai’s first MICHELIN three-star restaurants
• Three restaurants awarded two stars
• Fourteen restaurants honored with one star
• Twenty-two restaurants recognized with Bib Gourmand awards
• Three restaurants gaining MICHELIN Green Stars for sustainability

These accolades demonstrate Dubai’s commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability in its growing culinary industry, attracting visitors who seek world-class dining experiences.

Strategic Focus and Collaborative Efforts

The first City Briefing of 2025 provided industry leaders and stakeholders with valuable insights into Dubai’s tourism trajectory. The briefing underscored the importance of collaboration among the city’s various sectors — from aviation and hospitality to retail and gastronomy — in ensuring the continued success of the tourism industry.

The session concluded with a strong emphasis on maintaining momentum through sustained cooperation, building on the solid foundation laid in the first quarter of 2025. The collective focus remains on enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a leading global destination.

Global Marketing Campaigns Boost Tourism Reach

As part of its ambitious D33 Agenda, Dubai continues to deploy dynamic global marketing campaigns aimed at increasing its international appeal. These campaigns focus on showcasing the city’s diverse offerings to new global audiences and positioning Dubai as an essential destination for both new and returning visitors.

Two standout campaigns in 2025 include:

• ‘Dubai. That’s How You Summer’: A captivating campaign promoting Dubai as the ultimate summer destination, where visitors can experience the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. This campaign has been promoted across multiple media platforms, portraying Dubai as a versatile destination where visitors can find a mix of vibrant experiences and serene escapes.
• ‘Find Your Story’: This global campaign, featuring high-profile personalities, highlights Dubai’s diverse landscapes and futuristic architecture. The campaign invites travellers to discover the exciting adventures the city offers, even on short stopovers, showcasing its unique desert scenery and cutting-edge cityscape.

Forward-Looking: A Thriving, Resilient Destination

Dubai’s tourism growth shows no signs of slowing down as the city continues to build on a diversified market strategy, fostering strong public-private sector collaboration, and executing creative global campaigns. The city remains well-positioned to cater to a broad range of travellers, from those seeking luxury experiences to those exploring the cultural and natural wonders Dubai offers.

With its blend of world-class experiences, innovative infrastructure, and strategic tourism initiatives, Dubai is set to redefine global tourism standards and continue its upward trajectory for years to come.