At the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) showcased how building connections with the global travel trade community has continued to result in impressive results across the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors. DET’s headline participation in the event as Destination Partner came amid continued robust tourism growth for the city.
Following back-to-back record-breaking years in 2023 and 2024, Dubai welcomed 5.31 million international visitors from January to March 2025, a 3% YoY increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to new data published by DET. The robust growth demonstrated the city’s continued global appeal, building on the 9% growth in 2024 to 18.72 million international overnight visitors, and putting Dubai on course to set new benchmarks following consecutive record years.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, said: “Consolidating the growth registered in back-to-back record years and solidifying Dubai’s ascent as a global tourism leader, the robust performance of the city’s tourism sector in the first quarter of 2025 is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the commitment of all stakeholders across the tourism ecosystem. The sustained growth of the tourism sector continues to be vital not only through its direct economic impact, but as a pathway to investment, talent and businesses into the city.”
Taking place from April 28 to May 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the ATM was held under the theme of ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’, and DET was joined on the Dubai stand (ME1120/ME1150) by over 125 key local partners and representatives from government entities.
From January to March 2025, the Western Europe region was Dubai’s biggest source market with 1.15 million visitors, a 22% overall share, followed by CIS and Eastern Europe with 891,000 (17%) and GCC with 772,000 visitors (15%). South Asia and MENA were fourth and fifth, accounting for 752,000 (14%) and 620,000 (12%) visitors respectively. The North-East Asia and South-East Asia region recorded 474,000 visitors to Dubai (a 9% share), followed by the Americas 374,000 (7%), Africa 197,000 (4%) and Australasia 78,000 (1%).
