Dubai Witnesses 17% Rise In International Visitors In First Quarter Of 2023

Dubai welcomed more than 4.67 million international visitors in the first three months of 2023 — the city’s best Q1 performance since the Covid-19 pandemic. This marks a 17 per cent year-on-year growth, placing it firmly on track to becoming the most visited international destination, according to latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

According to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the emirate has “solidified its position as the premier global tourism destination”.

“(The achievement) is a testament to the successful implementation of the D33 Agenda’s forward-thinking strategy. Fueled by its thriving economy, Dubai remains at the forefront of the global tourism industry’s recovery,” Sheikh Hamdan tweeted on Monday.

D33 or the Dubai Economic Agenda has set ambitious goals of doubling the size of the Emirate’s economy over the next decade, and consolidating its position among the top three global cities.

The latest industry results – announced at the ongoing 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – positions Dubai as the fastest recovering destination globally, achieving 98 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023. They exceed the projection made by the United Nations World Trade Organisation that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80-95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels this year.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said: “This achievement has been made possible by the far-reaching vision of the leadership to transform Dubai into one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises and the globe’s pre-eminent hub for travel, talent, entrepreneurship and investment.

“The tourism sector is not only the strongest pillars of our economy but also a key enabler of Dubai’s distinctive role in the world as a bridge between markets, cultures and regions. In the years ahead, Dubai will continue to introduce new pathbreaking initiatives to offer a distinctive proposition for travellers and achieve its goal of becoming the world’s best place to live, visit, work and invest in.”