with a growth of 41.5%. Hotel occupancy rate increased to 84%

Dubai welcomes 3.1 million international tourists in January and February

Dubai continues to record strong growth in total visitor numbers. Cinematographer: Ashok Verma

Data from the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai showed that the emirate received more than 3.1 million international tourists in January and February this year, compared to 2.19 million tourists who visited Dubai in the same period of 2022, an increase of about 41.5%.

The data, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, indicated that the hotel occupancy rate increased to 84% during January and February 2023, compared to about 77% in the same period of 2022.

The number of hotel rooms in the emirate at the end of last February reached more than 148.4 thousand hotel rooms, within 813 hotel establishments, compared to about 139 thousand hotel rooms, within 759 establishments at the end of February 2022, and visitors recorded about 7.28 million overnight stays, compared to about 6.3 million nights, a growth of 15.5%.

Visitor numbers

Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) revealed the latest statistics on the performance of the tourism sector and the number of international visitors, which showed that the emirate attracted 3.1 million international tourists during January and February this year, compared to 2.19 million tourists during the same period in 2022, an increase of about 41.5%.

According to data from the department, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, Dubai continued to record strong growth rates in the total number of visitors, compared to last year's levels, at a time when the indicators of the number of hotel rooms, nights booked, the average daily rate, as well as the average return on room exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and the number of visitors approached 2019 levels by a narrow margin, while the occupancy rate recorded the same percentage compared to 2019 levels.

Exporting Markets

The data showed that India was at the forefront of the source markets for international visitors to Dubai, during January and February, recording more than 401,229 visitors, followed by Russia with about 201,196 visitors, while the total number of visitors from the Sultanate of Oman reached about <>,<> visitors, and from the United Kingdom <>,<> visitors.

In turn, the Saudi market came in fifth place, recording about 183,134 visitors, followed by Germany with about 132,85 visitors, then the United States with about 72,71 visitors, Israel with <>,<> visitors, France with about <>,<> visitors, while Kuwait recorded about <>,<> visitors.

Hotel Rooms

In addition, the number of hotel rooms in Dubai at the end of last February reached more than 148.4 thousand hotel rooms, within 813 hotel establishments, compared to about 139 thousand hotel rooms in 759 properties by the end of February 2022.

The average hotel occupancy across all establishments operating in Dubai was 84%, compared to 77.4% in the same period of 2021 and 84% in the same period of 2019 before the pandemic.

Deluxe Rooms

Five-star luxury hotel rooms accounted for 34% of the total hotel market in Dubai, recording about 51,155 hotel rooms within 29 hotel properties, followed by four-star hotel rooms at 42%, recording about 6.191 thousand hotel rooms within <> properties.

For its part, hotels classified between «three stars» and «star» accounted for about 20% of the total volume of the hotel market, with a capacity of more than 29,274 hotel rooms, within <> hotel properties.

As for hotel apartments, their number reached 25.6 thousand apartments, within 193 establishments, thus accounting for 18% of the volume of the hotel market.

Length of stay

The length of stay of guests during January 2023 was recorded as four hotel nights, compared to 4.5 nights in the same period of 2022, while the number of nights (reserved rooms) reached about 7.28 million overnight nights, compared to about 6.3 million overnight nights in the corresponding period, a growth rate of 15.5%.

The average price for a hotel room was AED 609, while the return per room was AED 514.

Visitors Source

Western Europe ranked first in terms of source of visitors to Dubai, by geographical region, accounting for about 22% of the total number of visitors, during January and February 2023, followed by South Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with 16% each, and Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe with about 15%.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region accounted for about 14 percent of the total, while the Americas accounted for 7 percent, North and Southeast Asia 6 percent, and Africa 4 percent. Australasia, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and neighbouring islands, accounted for 2 percent.

• 148.4 thousand hotel rooms in Dubai, within 813 properties at the end of February.