Jump to content

Tourism in Dubai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, also called Al Bastakiya, is Dubai's historic district and major tourist destination.

Tourism in Dubai is a major part of the economy of Dubai. Dubai was the third most visited city in the world in 2023 with 17 million international visitors according to Euromonitor International.[1][2] Dubai hosts more than 800 hotels with more than 150,000 rooms.[3][4]

History

[edit]

The discovery of oil in 1966 kick-started the development of present Dubai, however Sheikh Hamad bin Maktoum (ruler from 1958 till 1990) realised one day Dubai would run out of oil and started building an economy that would outlast it.[5] A quote commonly attributed to Sheikh Rashid reflected his concern that Dubai's oil, which was discovered in 1966 and which began production in 1969, would run out within a few generations. Sheikh Rashid stated "My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I drive a Mercedes, my son drives a Land Rover, his son will drive a Land Rover, but his son will ride a camel".[6] Sheikh Rashid realized early he needed to diversify the emirate of Dubai's economy by building on the city's trading history and therefore he set out to establish Dubai as the region's trade and service hub. By 1979, he was successful in establishing the Jebel Ali Port, which became the logical shipping centre for the entire United Arab Emirates and the world's largest man-made port. He also upgraded Dubai International Airport and built the Dubai World Trade Centre, which was then the tallest building in the Middle East. By the end of the 1970s, the stage was set for the diversification of Dubai's economy away from oil and into other areas such as tourism.[7]

In 1989 the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board was established, to promote Dubai as a luxury destination for the up-tier market and influential business sectors. In January 1997, it was replaced with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).[8]

In May 2013, the government of Dubai launched the Dubai Tourism Strategy 2020, with the key objective to attract 20 million visitors a year by 2020 and making Dubai a first choice destination for international leisure travellers as well as business travellers.[9] In 2018, the strategy was expanded by setting new goals of attracting 21-23 million visitors in 2022 and 23-25 million visitors by 2025.[10] The key objectives from 2013 and 2018 were not met due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2019, Dubai's Jumeirah Group LLC fired 500 people due to a decline in tourism. In the second quarter of 2019, hospitality sector has had the worst quarter since 2009.[11]

The need to maintain its tourism industry has hampered Dubai's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] Along with COVID-19 Dubai's tourism sector has also been hurt by a greater international awareness of the status of human rights in the emirate and in particular the treatment of Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum.[13]

In November 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced a national tourism strategy until 2031. The goal of the strategy is to attract Dh 100 billion in additional tourism investments (so that the tourism sector's contribution will be Dh450bn of Dubai's GDP in 2031) and receive 40 million hotel guests in 2031. The strategy includes 25 initiatives and policies to support the development of the tourism sector in the country.[14]

In April 2025, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism introduced a new programme offering media training to students for promotion of tourism in the UAE. Applicants are provided with flights, luxury apartment and three months of income, along with certification from Dubai College of Tourism for posting about traveling experiences in Dubai on social media. According to Middle East Eye, this program aims to whitewash its human rights violations and war crime accusations in Sudan.[15]

Visitors and visitor spending

[edit]
Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai has experienced sustained growth in international tourism since the early 1980s, evolving from a regional trading centre into one of the world’s most visited cities. In the early 2000s, travellers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states accounted for more than one-third of total arrivals, while South Asia, Europe and Africa were significant secondary source markets. Tourism receipts surpassed US$1 billion in 2003, highlighting the early expansion of the sector.[16]

By the late 2010s, Dubai had become a global leader both in visitor numbers and visitor spending. According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018, Dubai ranked first worldwide in international visitor spending for the fourth consecutive year, generating US$30.82 billion, a 3.8% increase compared to 2017. Average daily spending by international tourists in 2018 reached US$553, among the highest of any major global destination.[17]

In 2019, Dubai welcomed 16.73 million international visitors, a 5.09% increase over 2018, maintaining its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major tourism markets.[18] The global COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted international mobility the following year, and Dubai’s visitor numbers dropped to 5.51 million in 2020.[19]

A rapid recovery began in 2021, supported by extensive reopening measures and marketing initiatives. In 2022, Dubai recorded 14.36 million international overnight visitors, returning to 86% of pre-pandemic levels, while total visitor spending exceeded US$29 billion, once again placing the city among the highest-earning destinations globally.[20]

In 2023, the emirate achieved a new annual record with 17.15 million international visitors, driven by increased air capacity, major events, and continued investment in leisure infrastructure.[21]

This growth continued into 2024 and 2025, culminating in another unprecedented year in 2025. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the emirate hosted 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5% increase compared with 2024 — the highest annual total ever recorded.[22] Visitor spending also reached new highs, with increases recorded across leisure, business and premium segments. December 2025 marked one of the strongest months in nearly two decades, with hotel occupancy exceeding 84% and room rates reaching multi-year highs.[23]

Dubai’s top source markets in the mid-2020s included Western Europe, the GCC, South Asia, and CIS/Eastern Europe, supported by expanded global connectivity through Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.[24]

Accommodation

[edit]
Main article: List of hotels in Dubai
Burj Al Arab hotel

In the mid-2020s, Dubai’s hospitality and accommodation sector expanded significantly alongside sustained growth in tourism. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai recorded a third consecutive year of record international visitation in 2025, welcoming 19.59 million overnight international visitors, an increase of 5 % compared to 2024. This marked the highest annual visitor count in the city’s history and highlighted robust global demand for Dubai’s accommodation offerings.[38]

By the end of 2025, the emirate’s hotel inventory comprised 154,264 rooms across 827 establishments, positioning Dubai among the world’s largest hospitality markets in terms of total available rooms. This inventory expansion was supported by a wave of new openings across different segments, including Ciel Dubai Marina (noted as one of the world’s tallest hotels), Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Cheval Maison at Expo City, and Vida Dubai Mall.[39] The average hotel occupancy rate in 2025 reached 80.7 %, up from 78.2 % in 2024, reflecting strong and sustained demand across leisure and business travel segments. Occupied room nights increased to 44.85 million, with the average length of stay at approximately 3.7 nights.[40][41][40]

The sector’s performance peaked in December 2025, when hotels experienced record occupancy and revenue metrics. In that month alone, occupancy rates reached above 84 % and the Average Daily Rate exceeded AED 1,000 in some segments, contributing to one of the strongest year-end hotel performances in nearly two decades.[42]Suited to Dubai’s broader tourism strategy, the hotel market’s growth has been supported by major global marketing campaigns, expansive infrastructure investment, and strategic public-private partnerships, which have diversified demand sources and reinforced year-round visitation. Source market analysis shows Western Europe as the largest contributor of international visitors, with significant contributions from the GCC, South Asia, CIS/Eastern Europe, and other regions.[24]

Hotel inventory numbers 2014-2025[25]
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Total 5 star hotels 91 96 103 113 128 134 143 151 157 168 173
Total 5 star hotel rooms 31,551 33,122 35,853 38,543 43,133 44,067 47,035 49,585 51,809 54,083 56,048
Total 4 star hotels 106 112 122 146 158 161 181 189 194 198 195
Total 4 star hotel rooms 21,208 22,990 25,289 29,908 33,120 34,905 40,377 42,505 43,283 43,846 43,500
Total 1-3 star hotels 264 267 260 260 258 225 243 270 274 277 280
Total 1-3 star hotel rooms 19,714 21,767 21,591 22,634 24,491 21,732 25,384 28,512 28,789 29,718 29,523
Total hotel apartments (deluxe/superior) 66 66 65 68 68 74 80 82 85 81 81
Total deluxe/superior rooms 9,641 9,519 9,786 10,522 10,520 11,845 12,606 13,113 13,842 13,955 13,888
Total hotel apartments (standard) 150 140 131 129 129 117 108 112 111 108 98
Total standard rooms 16,219 15,447 14,930 14,360 14,856 14,398 12,548 12,781 12,568 12,414 11,305
Total establishments 657 677 681 681 716 741 711 755 804 821 832 827
Total available rooms 92,333 98,333 102,845 107,431 115,967 126,120 126,947 137,950 146,496 150,291 154,016 154,264
Average occupancy 79% 77% 78% 78% 76% 75% 54% 67% 73% 77% 78% 81%

Visitor Statistics

[edit]
Rank Country 6/2023 2022
1 India 1,223,000 1,842,000
5 Russia 616,000 758,000
4 United Kingdom 555,000 1,043,000
3 Saudi Arabia 538,000 1,216,000
2 Oman 511,000 1,311,000
6 United States 362,000 590,000
7 Germany 329,000 422,000
17 China 260,000 177,000
10 Iran 196,000 328,000
13 Israel 196,000 239,000
8 France 180,000 364,000
11 Egypt 168,000 288,000
12 Kuwait 152,000 260,000
9 Pakistan 152,000 356,000
14 Kazakhstan 145,000 234,000
15 Italy 130,000 212,000
19 Philippines 125,000 158,000
16 Australia 121,000 184,000
18 Canada 110,000 158,000
19 Japan 110,000 148,000

Cultural sensitivity

[edit]
See also: Culture of Dubai
A beachgoer at Dubai Marina, illustrating the contrast between resort-area permissiveness and the city’s broader expectations of public modesty.

Tourists visiting Dubai are expected to observe a set of cultural norms shaped by the emirate’s social traditions, legal framework, and the broader Islamic context of the United Arab Emirates. While Dubai operates as a cosmopolitan hub with a diverse resident and visitor population, public spaces continue to reflect expectations of modesty, decorum and respect for local customs. These norms are most visible during significant religious periods, such as Ramadan, when eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours are prohibited; hotels and private venues, however, maintain designated areas for non-fasting guests.[43]

Dubai’s legal framework includes modesty provisions that influence dress expectations in public. Although beaches, hotel pools and resort areas permit Western swimwear, malls, government buildings and traditional neighbourhoods maintain guidelines requiring clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Security personnel may request individuals to adjust attire if it is considered overly revealing, although enforcement varies across districts.[44][45]

Public displays of affection (especially intimate gestures) are discouraged, with excessive displays potentially subject to penalties under public decency laws.[46] Alcohol is allowed in licensed venues such as hotel bars and restaurants, but public consumption or intoxication remains an offence under UAE federal legislation.[47] Similarly, photographing individuals without their consent, or taking images of certain government or military buildings, may constitute a violation of privacy or national-security regulations.[48]

Homosexuality remains criminalized under federal law, including for tourists.[49] Enforcement in Dubai is generally complaint-based, and there is little evidence of proactive policing of private consensual conduct, but legal risk nonetheless exists for behaviour that becomes visible in public or is reported to authorities.[50]

Cultural frameworks and their relevance to tourism

[edit]

Academic cultural frameworks have occasionally been used by scholars to contextualize the interaction between international tourists and Emirati society. Although these models are not employed officially by Dubai’s authorities, they provide a structured way to interpret the behavioural expectations visitors encounter.

Hofstede’s cultural dimensions

[edit]
A tourist drinking in a licensed setting on Palm Jumeirah. Dubai’s high uncertainty avoidance contributes to a preference for clearly articulated guidelines regarding alcohol consumption and acceptable public behaviour, ensuring that leisure environments remain predictable and culturally coherent for both residents and visitors.

The Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory dataset characterizes the UAE as a society marked by high Power Distance, strong Collectivism, and relatively high Uncertainty Avoidance.[51]

Dubai’s high Power Distance reflects a cultural orientation in which hierarchy, authority and formal structures are treated with deference. For tourists, this is visible in strict compliance expectations within official settings—airports, government buildings, and interactions with police or security personnel often operate with formality and low tolerance for confrontation.

The low-individualism, or collectivist, orientation emphasizes community cohesion, shared reputation, and public order. Tourists who raise their voices, engage in confrontational disputes, or display behaviour perceived as disruptive may attract social disapproval or intervention. What, in many Western societies, is considered merely "impolite" can in Dubai be perceived as disrespectful or destabilizing to communal harmony.

High Uncertainty Avoidance is reflected in Dubai’s preference for clear rules governing public conduct (from alcohol regulations to dress expectations) and helps explain the relative strictness of laws around public indecency, photography, and public intoxication. In a tourism context, this means that ambiguity is rarely tolerated in public behaviour; rules are explicit, and deviations can be formally addressed.

Hall’s high-context communication

[edit]

The framework of Edward T. Hall classifies Gulf societies, including Dubai’s, as high-context cultures, where communication often relies on indirect signalling, shared social understanding, and implicit norms rather than direct confrontation.[52]

For tourists, this manifests in social interactions that prioritise politeness, a measured tone, and non-verbal cues. Direct criticism, abrupt refusals, or openly challenging staff in hotels, malls or public institutions may be interpreted as hostility rather than assertiveness. Much of Dubai’s hospitality industry, particularly among long-term expatriate staff, navigates between high-context Emirati norms and low-context expectations of international visitors, which occasionally leads to mismatched interpretations of politeness or service expectations.

Lewis Model

[edit]

Within the Lewis Model (Linear-Active, Multi-Active and Re-Active), the UAE is characterised as occupying a space between the multi-active and reactive cultural clusters.[53]

This classification captures two aspects relevant to tourism. First, multi-active traits such as personal warmth, hospitality and relational communication are deeply embedded in Emirati and wider Gulf social etiquette. This is reflected in Dubai’s service culture, which places emphasis on courtesy, hosting and interpersonal rapport. Second, reactive traits, particularly the value placed on emotional self-control, respectfulness and non-confrontation, are core to interactions in public settings. Tourists unfamiliar with these dynamics may misinterpret calmness or formality as aloofness, or conversely may inadvertently appear aggressive when speaking in a direct, emphatic or highly assertive manner considered normal in low-context societies.

Balancing modernity and tradition

[edit]

Dubai’s cultural landscape is shaped by an unusual interplay between global cosmopolitanism and deeply rooted social norms. As a tourism hub, the city has developed a dual system in which resort zones, beach clubs, international hotels and entertainment districts operate with relaxed behavioural expectations, while public civic spaces, traditional neighbourhoods, and government environments adhere to more conservative interpretations of public order.

Academic tourism studies frequently cite Dubai’s model as one of “controlled openness,” whereby the city maintains broad international accessibility while preserving specific cultural constraints to support social cohesion.[54] This duality allows Dubai to appeal simultaneously to conservative regional travellers and to global leisure and business tourists, while maintaining a legal and cultural environment consistent with the norms of the UAE.

Attractions

[edit]
Main article: Tourist attractions in Dubai
Al Fahidi Fort

Aspects of Dubai's old culture, while occasionally overshadowed by the boom in economic development, can be found by visiting places around the creek, which splits Dubai into two halves, Bur Dubai and Deira. The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provide the main flavor of the old city. Heritage Village is one of the few remaining parts of historical Dubai, containing preserved buildings. The adjoining Diving Village offers exhibits on pearl diving and fishing. The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire "Shindagha" area into a cultural city, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.

Boats on Dubai water line night view

Other attractions include the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House; the Dubai Museum in the restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799; and the Heritage Village of Hatta, situated 115 kilometers southeast of Dubai City in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains. The history of the village can be traced back 2000 – 3000 years. It consists of 30 buildings, each differing in size, interior layout and building materials used. Great care was taken to use the same materials as those used when originally built during the renovation such as mud, hay, sandalwood and palm fronds. The Sharia Mosque is an old mosque built in the early 19th century using the same building materials and consists of a large prayer hall, a court and courtyard, minaret and other utility rooms.[55] Other museums include the Al Ahmadiya School.

Shopping

[edit]
Main article: List of shopping malls in Dubai
Dubai Fountain at the Dubai Mall

Dubai has been nicknamed the "shopping capital of the Middle East."[56][57] The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Dubai is known for its souk districts. Souk is the Arabic word for market or place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. Traditionally, dhows from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks.[58]

Modern shopping malls and boutiques are also found in the city. Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using Dubai International Airport. Outside of Duty Free areas and major sales, Dubai has a reputation for being one of the most expensive shopping destinations in the world.[59]

While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life.

Dubai's numerous shopping centres cater for every consumer's need. Cars, clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment and any other goods will all be likely to be under the same roof.[60]

The Dubai Shopping Festival is a month-long festival held during the month of January each year. During the festival the entire emirate becomes one massive shopping mall. Additionally, the festival brings together music shows, art exhibitions, and folk dances.[61]

The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is the summer version of Dubai Shopping Festival held during June, July and August. Dubai Government launched Dubai Summer Surprises in 1998 in order to promote Dubai as a family holiday destination. DSS offers fun, entertainment, food deals and great offers on shopping.

Transportation

[edit]
Main article: Transportation in Dubai
Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic.

Most capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai. More than 120 airlines operate to and from Dubai International Airport to more than 260 destinations. Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic.[62] Dubai is also the home base of the airline Emirates, which operates scheduled services to more than 100 destinations.

In June 2009 Emirates designated a special handling area at departures and arrivals for passengers with special needs, allowing wheelchair passengers to receive a more personalized service.[63][better source needed]

The establishment of the first cruise terminal in Dubai in 2001 and the opening of the enhanced New Dubai Cruise Terminal in February 2010 with higher handling capacity has drawn the attention of cruise line operators. Cruises to Dubai sail from: Singapore, Sydney, Athens, Dover, Venice, Cape Town, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, Alexandria, Istanbul, New York City, Southampton, Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Monte Carlo, Mombasa, Victoria, and Cairns among others.[64][better source needed]

The United Arab Emirates has a network of roads that connect major towns and villages, including a multi-lane highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with access to and from the bordering countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Highways and main roads in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates are designated by an Emirate Route Number. Speed limits are displayed on road signs and are usually 60–80 km/h (37–50 mph) around town and 100–120 km/h (62–75 mph) elsewhere.[65][better source needed]

Dubai ranked third in the best taxi services behind Tokyo and Singapore.[66][better source needed]

Illicit drugs

[edit]

Travelers entering Dubai are warned for harsh penalties regarding illicit drug use or smuggling. Authorities in Dubai use highly sensitive equipment to conduct thorough searches to find trace amount of illegal substances.[67] A senior Dubai judge was quoted on February 11, 2008, by the Dubai City News saying, "These laws help discourage anyone from carrying or using drugs. Even if the quantity of illegal drugs found on someone is 0.05 grams, they will be found guilty. The penalty is a minimum of four years. The message is clear — drugs will not be tolerated."[67]

Health

[edit]
Further information: Healthcare in the United Arab Emirates

No special immunizations are required, but tourists are encouraged to purchase appropriate medical insurance before travelling. Government immunization programs have led to recognition by a travel magazine.[63] As a latest addition to the established modern health care system, Dubai offers online health care contacts of virtually all medical doctors in Dubai.[68]

Sports tourism

[edit]

Dubai hosts the following international championships:

See also

[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dubai.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Two of the most-visited cities in the world are in Turkey - this one is the unsung hero". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  2. ^ Kelly, Liv (2 February 2024). "This surprising city was the world's most visited in 2023". TimeOut.
  3. ^ "Dubai to host ATM 2024; city has 150,000 rooms and welcomed 17m tourists last year". Arabian Business. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  4. ^ "Enterprise". Enterprise. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  5. ^ "Dubai Tourist Information". Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  6. ^ Gluckman, Ron. "Hong Kong of the Desert?". Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  7. ^ Sharpley, Richard (2009). Tourism Development and the Environment:Beyond Sustainability?. Earthscan. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-84407-732-8. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Sorry, the page you requested was not found". www.zu.ac.ae. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "Dubai Department of Tourism Vision". www.visitdubai.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  10. ^ Bridge, Sam (5 October 2018). "Dubai expands tourism ambitions, sets new target for 2025". ArabianBusiness.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Parasie, Nicolas; Pacheco, Filipe (29 July 2019). "Dubai's Jumeirah Cuts 500 Jobs as Tourism Industry Struggles". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 2019-07-31. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  12. ^ Saifi, Zeena; Defterios, John; Swan, Melanie (6 February 2021). "How Dubai is paying the price for letting in tourists". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  13. ^ Abdellatif, Reem (5 March 2021). "Dubai Faces Festering Tourism Challenges Beyond Pandemic". skift.com. Skift. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  14. ^ National, The (November 11, 2022). "Sheikh Mohammed launches national tourism strategy to attract 40m hotel guests by 2031". The National.
  15. ^ "UAE launches influencer academy to 'whitewash' country's reputation, say critics". Middle East Eye. 30 April 2025.
  16. ^ Reporter, By Maey Al Shoush, Staff (October 17, 2005). "Gulf to see private label boom". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ https://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/GDCI-2018-Mastercard.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  18. ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/transport/dubai-attracts-1673-million-tourists-in-2019-1.963020
  19. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dubai-records-551-mln-international-visitors-2020-2021-02-16/
  20. ^ https://www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights/tourism-performance-report-2022
  21. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dubai-tourism-hits-new-record-1715-million-visitors-2023-2024-02-06/
  22. ^ https://www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights/tourism-performance-report-december-2025
  23. ^ "TradeArabia - Latest Business and Financial News in MENA". TradeArabia.
  24. ^ a b Ata, Huda (February 9, 2026). "Dubai tourism hits record as 19.59m international visitors arrive in 2025". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema.
  25. ^ a b "About Dubai Tourism - DTCM Statistics & Performance | Visit Dubai". www.visitdubai.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  26. ^ "Dubai tourism: number of visitors 2016". Statista. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  27. ^ "Dubai received 15.92 million visitors in 2018 with most coming from India". The National. 24 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  28. ^ Henderson, Joan c. (2006). "Tourism in Dubai: Overcoming Barriers to Destination Development". International Journal of Tourism Research. 8 (6): 84–85. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.606.2930. doi:10.1002/jtr.557. Archived from the original on 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  29. ^ Fernandes, Cedwyn; Karnik, Ajit V. (2010). "Estimating Elasticity of Demand for Tourism in Dubai". Tourism Analysis. 15: 57–69. doi:10.3727/108354210X12724734223630. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020 – via www.academia.edu.
  30. ^ "Dubai welcomes 16.73 million tourists in 2019". Gulf Business. Jan 23, 2020. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020.
  31. ^ "UAE Tourism Statistics 1995-2021". www.macrotrends.net. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  32. ^ a b "Dubai hotels registered $4.1 bn revenues in 2008". The Economic Times. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  33. ^ Stephenson, Marcus L.; Ali-Knight, Jane (December 1, 2010). "Dubai's tourism industry and its societal impact: social implications and sustainable challenges". Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. 8 (4): 278–292. doi:10.1080/14766825.2010.521248. S2CID 115152557 – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
  34. ^ Jain, Shweta (4 May 2010). "SPECIAL: Dubai's tourism sector bounces back - eb247 - News - National - Emirates24|7". www.emirates247.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  35. ^ "Dubai receives 14.36 million international visitors in 2022".
  36. ^ "Dubai annual visitor report 2023".
  37. ^ "Tourism Performance Report January - December 2024". www.dubaidet.gov.ae.
  38. ^ https://www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en/research-and-insights/tourism-performance-report-december-2025
  39. ^ https://www.ttnworldwide.com/ArticleTA/389048/Dubai-sets-third-consecutive-tourism-record-with-1959m-visitors-in-2025
  40. ^ a b "Dubai Tourism 2025: 19.59m International Visitors and Record Hotel Performance - Dubai.News". February 27, 2026.
  41. ^ Hotels also achieved higher pricing performance, with the Average Daily Rate (ADR) rising to AED 579 (approximately US $157.7) — an 8 % increase — and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) increasing to AED 467 (+11 %).
  42. ^ "Dubai hotels record strongest December in almost 20 years: CoStar". TradeArabia. March 9, 2018.
  43. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43835668
  44. ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/08/10/dubai-code-of-conduct-what-you-can-and-cannot-wear-in-public/
  45. ^ https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubai-issues-public-decency-guidelines-1.2298122
  46. ^ https://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/04/05/dubai.kissing.couple/
  47. ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2023/01/01/uae-alcohol-laws-2023-what-has-changed/
  48. ^ https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/police-issue-warning-against-taking-unauthorised-photos-of-people
  49. ^ Share this via Facebook. January 11, 2024 – via Human Rights Watch.
  50. ^ "Average price paid for motor insurance climbs amid rising costs for insurers". The Independent. August 7, 2022.
  51. ^ https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country/uae/
  52. ^ Edward T. Hall, Beyond Culture, 1976.
  53. ^ Richard Lewis, When Cultures Collide, 2006.
  54. ^ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2021.1942218
  55. ^ "Luxury Hotels Europe, Middle East & Far East - Jumeirah". www.jumeirah.com. Archived from the original on 2006-06-22.
  56. ^ "Shopping in dubai". Archived from the original on 2006-06-25.
  57. ^ "Shopping Guide in Dubai". Shopping Galore in Dubai. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  58. ^ "Souq - DataDubai". Archived from the original on 2007-03-12.
  59. ^ "How expensive is Dubai? A Budget for staying in Dubai". Travelaar. 2018-05-04. Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  60. ^ "Shopping at Dubai, Dubai Shopping Centers and Malls". www.dubai.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-02. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  61. ^ "Dubai Shopping". www.mydsf.com. Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2006-06-01.
  62. ^ "ACI World data reveals COVID-19's impact on world's busiest airports". www.aci.aero. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  63. ^ a b "Travel Tips to Visit Dubai | Dubai.com". www.dubai.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
  64. ^ "Cruise Hub of the Region". Dubai Tourism. Retrieved 2012-12-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  65. ^ "Routes to Dubai". Definitely Dubai. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  66. ^ "Tourists rate Dubai taxis, shopping to top list". Khaleej Times. 20 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  67. ^ a b Paul McLennan and Ali Al-Shouk (2008-02-11). "Tourists get drug warning". Dubai City News. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  68. ^ "Gulf News". Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tourism in Dubai.
  • Dubai travel guide from Wikivoyage
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tourism_in_Dubai&oldid=1341113936"