Now, Dubai’s Visitor-To-Resident Ratio Leaves Most Major Cities In The Dust As Tourism Surges, Here Is All You Need To Know

Published on July 13, 2025

One of the most well-known tourist destinations in the world, Dubai is the world’s tourism growth leader, with the highest visitor to resident ratio among major cities globally. The emirate’s tourism growth is expected to continue expanding at a fast pace, with a forecast for more even growth in the next 10 years. These are a few of the fruits of this boom, and it can be seen, not just in the increasing numbers of visitors, but also in the large sums of money and the number of jobs that the tourism sector brings to Dubai, billions of dirhams and thousands of jobs.

Dubai Has the Highest Visitor-to-Resident Ratio of Any World City

Tourism has always been an industry in Dubai, but recently, the music has changed, it seems, in terms of how many visitors it plays to each homegrown resident. The emirate’s ratio in 2023 was an impressive 5.5:1, meaning for every resident there were more than five tourists visiting the city. This ratio is projected to rise sharply in the next 10 years and could become 6.9:1 in 2034, according to the projections. That would give Dubai a large lead over other major world cities including Paris and London, who will follow suit with modest lifts to their own visitor-to-resident ratios.

The growing number of international guests to Dubai has put the city on track for yet another record year. The emirate received 18.72 million visitors in 2024 and 7.15 million in the first four months of 2025. This increase reflects Dubai’s enduring appeal as a worldwide tourism destination, and confirms its position as one of the most desired destinations on the planet.

Projections for Dubai’s Population and Visitors’ Numbers

The growth in Dubai’s resident population is also in line with the increase in tourists. The emirate has a current population of about 3.97 million, and there are plans in place to reach 7.8 million by 2040. The tourism industry in particular contributes to this rapid population growth, bringing in large numbers of people — both residents and tourists — that continue to support the ongoing growth of Dubai.

Tourism Ten of millions of tourists visit the city each year, and it supports a thriving economy. These 18.72million in 2024 allows robust growth in travel and tourism, however many more visitors are on the horizon. This surge is part of Dubai’s continuous endeavor to enhance its role as an international tourism destination and global business and luxury hub.

Tourism and Economic Tourism in Dubai

The tourism industry is a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy, and creates a fair amount of its gross domestic product. Tourism The tourism sector contributed to 11.7% of the UAE’s GDP in 2023 or Dh220 billion. This is projected to reach 12 per cent of GDP, at Dh236bn, by 2024. The sector’s contribution is expected to hit around Dh275. 2 billion by 2034, thanks in part to the emirate’s world-class infrastructure, including its airports, its accommodations and its attractions.

The economic influence of tourism is more than direct financial contributions. The sector provides thousands of jobs, serving a broad range of businesses from hospitality and transport to retail and entertainment. It also fuels substantial investment in infrastructure, generating a virtuous cycle of more tourism, more development, and improved services, attracting still more tourists.

Dubai’s tourism industry is expected to grow further supported by its famous landmarks, luxury hotels, and excellent connectivity to the world. And with over 200 nationalities living in Dubai, formerly known as the Arabian Pearl, a truly international melting pot of peoples has turned it to a place where foreign sojourners feel instantly at home. This variety contributes richness to the city’s culture and vibrancy, making it an even greater place for tourists and locals (for those tourists who aren’t living in said hotel, the occupiers who aren’t riding up and down the elevators, be that as it may) to appreciate.

Addressing Overtourism: The Reach of Tourism in Dubai

Despite wrestling with the notion of “overtourism,” in which the arrival of large numbers of tourists taxes local infrastructures and communities, popular tourist destinations around the world are trying to avoid it. The city’s open-arms approach to visitors, coupled with its vibrant, diversified economy, has enabled it to achieve a precarious equilibrium between residents and tourists.

Foreigners already constitute over 85% of Dubai’s population, where more than 200 nationalities reside. This diversity of population significantly contributes to the city’s hospitality and visitors find themselves easily encompassed as part of the greater social and economic city fabric. “Sustainable growth is our attention point, as is tourism’s power when it comes to redistributing tourism’s economic benefits and promoting local economic diversification.M “You rightly demand more jobs and fair opportunities.

The explosive rise of tourism in Dubai is not purely down to the infrastructure, luxury experiences and connections to the rest of the world the city offers. It is also a game born from the proactive, inclusive image of tourism the emirate has honed over decades. This can mean diversifying tourism beyond traditional attractions, creating cultural and environmental experiences, and supporting local enterprises that benefit from tourists from abroad.

Diversified Tourism in Dubai’s Economy

Strategic to Dubai’s tourism takings is variety. The city caters not only to business travelers or luxury visitors but to a vast array of travelers. The focus on creating sustainable, culturally immersive experiences have drawn people who are looking for something beyond shopping and seeing the sights. The city has already developed an array of attractions, ranging from art galleries and museums to desert safaris and environmentally friendly resorts, so there really is something for everyone.

The economic influence of tourism will continue to increase as the tourism sector becomes more diverse. By providing a wide array of experiences to suit all tastes, Dubai is able to entice visitors to its shores outside of the peak periods of travel, as it becomes less dependent on seasonal travel and bolsters a year-round spread of economic benefits.

Future of Dubai Tourism: Growth vs Sustainability Balance

The World Economic Forums recent report highlights the need to balance the growth of tourism and sustainable growth. As Dubai’s lengthy list of visitors has continued to grow, so the city’s task will now be to regulate flows of visitors in a manner that benefits both the economy and the lifestyle of the resident population. It will involve a shift from a legacy of growth towards a model of redistribution, one that spreads the fruits of such growth more fairly among regions, communities and businesses.

Dubai is a city already making great strides with infrastructure and global connectivity, however, as its tourism sector continues to expand, it will have to strike a balance between opening its doors to tourists and maintaining the quality of life for its own inhabitants. As the emirate pursues sustainable growth, it will be important for Dubai to manage visitor flows, diversify its tourism offerings and ensure that people in local communities benefit from tourism.

Conclusion: Dubai’s World Influence in Tourism

The tourism industry in Dubai has been booming for quite some time, and has played a substantial role in the city’s economy while providing an array of unbeatable experiences for tourists and locals alike. “With ongoing expansion in [the] ratio of visitor-to-resident and continually increasing investment in tourism infrastructure, the emirate is poised to maintain its standing as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations in the years ahead.”

As tourism becomes increasingly important to the diversification and growth of Dubai’s non-oil economy, the city’s inclusive promotion strategy and long-term investment in sustainable tourism will guarantee that everyone is a winner from its success. The future of the Dubai tourism industry is looking great and it’s ability to handle growth and make room for both tourists and residents is an example for other cities globally.