Dubai sees a 31% surge in Chinese tourists

Dubai welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024, marking a 9 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) on Feb 14.

The data also pointed that in 2024, Dubai welcomed 824,000 Chinese tourists, a 31 percent increase compared to the previous year.

To cater to the Chinese market, Dubai has implemented a series of initiatives, including convenient payment solutions and localized services. During the 2025 Spring Festival, Dubai rolled out a variety of festive activities, such as landmark light shows, live broadcasts of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala at Dubai International Airport, and exclusive discounts and promotions on Alipay and WeChat Pay.

As a leading global tourism destination in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai continues to attract visitors from across the globe.

"This achievement is the result of visionary leadership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. We are committed to maintaining this exceptional growth momentum. Through strategic innovation, infrastructure development, talent acquisition, and market diversification, we will continue to enhance Dubai's competitiveness, attract more international visitors, and enhance tourism's role as a key driver of economic growth," said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and the deputy prime minister and minister of defense of the UAE.

He also highlighted the city's strategic focus on expanding foreign investment, and attracting global talent to further accelerate growth. "By continuing to create new opportunities and value-driven offerings for the global travelers, Dubai will not only maintain its status as a preferred destination but also strengthen its position at the forefront of global growth in the sector," he added.