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Dubai received record international visitors in 2022, close to pre-pandemic tally

Travel & tourism.

Dubai welcomed 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022

Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, up 97 per cent year-on-year from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The emirate also closed in on its pre-pandemic visitor tally of 16.73 million in 2019, further validating its ranking as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 for the second successive year, only the second city in history to achieve the feat.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council said: “Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth, which has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry, demonstrates the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into an important global player in shaping the future of vital sectors.

“The remarkable rise in international visitation in 2022 supports the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy.”

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The latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows that global tourist travel in 2022 was 37 per cent lower than 2019. The Middle East saw the strongest relative increase, with arrivals climbing to 83 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers. Dubai exceeded both global and regional barometers of recovery with visitors to the city in 2022 reaching 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “While the global economy remains in a state of flux, Dubai has emerged as a clear leader in the tourism industry. The robust performance is a testament to Dubai’s growing role at the vanguard of global tourism recovery. The positive momentum also shows that tourism remains a significant contributor to the city’s economic growth and sustainable development, further driving the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to reinforce Dubai’s status as one of world’s top three cities for tourism and business.”

Dubai’s international markets maintain momentum

Western Europe and GCC regions each accounted for a 21 per cent share of arrivals. The GCC region in particular saw a significant increase in its share of arrivals from 13 per cent in 2021 to 21 per cent last year. South Asia contributed 17 per cent of total volumes while the MENA region contributed 12 per cent. The Americas accounted for 7 per cent of arrivals while the North Asia and South East Asia region and Africa each contributed 5 per cent, and Australasia accounted for 2 per cent.

Strong growth for hospitality sector

Average occupancy for the hotel sector in 2022 stood at 73 per cent, one of the highest in the world, rising from 67 per cent in 2021. The figure is just short of the 75 per cent occupancy in the pre-pandemic period of 2019. The high occupancy is particularly noteworthy as it was achieved despite a 16 per cent increase in room supply in 2022 compared to 2019. Dubai’s hotel inventory at the end of December 2022 comprised 146,496 rooms at 804 hotel establishments, compared to 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. The total number of hotels in 2022 marked a six per cent growth over 2021, with 755 hotel establishments offering 137,950 rooms.

The hotel sector outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all other key measurements – Occupied Room Nights, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Occupied room nights reached a record high of 37.43 million in 2022, registering a 19 per cent increase vs. 2021 (31.47 million) and a 17 per cent increase over the pre-pandemic period of 2019, which yielded 32.11 million occupied room nights.

The ADR of Dh536 in 2022 surpassed the ADRs for both 2021 (Dh451) and 2019 (Dh415), with 19 per cent and 29 per cent increases, respectively. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 30 per cent compared to 2021 (Dh391 vs Dh301) and an increase of 25 per cent over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of Dh312).

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Our partners played a pivotal role in achieving the No.1 ranking with their contributions to both Dubai’s tourism growth and the sector’s global rebound, as well as their active participation in all our global campaigns and marketing activities that have driven consideration for Dubai as the destination of choice for global travellers. The exceptional support of our public and private sector stakeholders and partners will be instrumental in raising our ability to showcase our unmatched offering designed to meet the diverse preferences and budgets of international travellers, as we gear up to welcome more visitors to Dubai in 2023.”

New landmarks, initiatives to spur growth

In 2022, a number of new attractions and initiatives were launched. These include the unveiling of the Museum of the Future, Dubai’s new iconic landmark that offers a gateway to a future world. Dubai also unveiled Expo City, the dynamic legacy of Expo 2020, an innovation-driven, human centric vision of the future, and Atlantis The Royal, a mega resort located on Palm Jumeirah.

With the implementation of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to expand the emirate’s tourism offering by over 100 per cent, Dubai is on track to achieve its vision of becoming the city of the future. Moreover, Dubai will launch new initiatives aligned with the UAE 2031 Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract 40 million guests by 2031 and increase the tourism sector's contribution to the emirate’s GDP to Dh450 billion.

Multiple visa options

Dubai also continues to unveil strong regulatory initiatives to promote the accelerated growth of the tourism sector including hassle-free entry procedures for business and leisure travellers that streamline access to the emirate by establishing long-term engagement with the city. These include the 60-day tourist visa available from September 2022, and the Five-Year Multi-Entry Visa for employees of multinational companies, in addition to the Golden Visa, Virtual Working and Retire in Dubai programmes. In 2022, Dubai was selected as one of 20 destinations globally under Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere initiative to identify the world’s most remote worker-friendly destinations. Airbnb also launched the Dubai Remote Working Hub, a one-stop-shop for aspiring remote workers in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

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UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth rates

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H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, revealed that the UAE’s tourism sector achieved a new growth milestone in Q1 2022, underlining its competitiveness at both regional and global levels. H.E. attributed the sector’s latest achievement to the unlimited support and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership and its interest in this vital sector, which is deemed one of the future sectors and a key focus area in the UAE’s development vision for the next 50 years.

The Minister explained that during the first quarter of this year, the national tourism sector exceeded the growth rates recorded not only in 2020 and 2021, but also during the same period in 2019, which is the benchmark for measuring recovery and growth rates in most countries today. It is one of the best years in terms of economic growth in general and tourism in particular, and this confirms the strong comeback of the sector thanks to the forward-looking vision of the UAE’s wise leadership. Equally important was the concerted national efforts to develop national tourism, provide a supportive environment and integrated incentives for the development of tourism products, offer adequate tourism infrastructure in the country, and focus on the delivery of high value-added services, he said.

According to tourism figures for Q1 2022, the country's hotel establishments attracted nearly 6 million visitors who spent 25 million hotel nights, reflecting a growth of 10% compared to the same period in 2019. The average duration of hotel guest stays reached 25% during the same period, up from 3 nights to 4 nights. Moreover, the occupancy rate of hotel establishments in the country during this period achieved 80% growth, which is one of the highest globally. Hotel establishments also generated a total revenue of AED 11 billion with a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2019 and resumed operations at full capacity of approximately 200,000 hotel rooms.

Furthermore, Q1 2022 saw a resurgence and a strong comeback of inward tourism flows from foreign markets, as hotel establishments in various emirates hosted nearly 4 million international tourists. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America topped the list of international tourists.

H.E. Al Falasi explained that these indicators underscore the strength of the tourism product and the pioneering services and attractive tourism destinations that the UAE offers, as well as its sophisticated tourism infrastructure. They also reflect the growing confidence of visitors in the national tourism sector and the UAE’s reputation as a safe and favorable destination capable of providing a rich and distinguished tourism experience.

In addition, H.E. noted the important role that the major events hosted by the UAE over the past months played in supporting the sector. These include Expo 2020 Dubai, which successfully attracted more than 24 million visitors over six months, and ‘Worlds’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in its second edition, which over one and a half months generated a total revenue of AED 1.5 billion and attracted more than 1.3 million local tourists.

Furthermore, H.E. commended the efforts of relevant authorities, various local tourism departments, and the strong partnership with the tourism private sector in the country, which was vital in achieving these positive results. He also highlighted the importance of further integration of roles among tourism development entities in order to achieve the UAE’s vision in this regard and provide the best tourism services and products for domestic and international tourists. These efforts are key to consolidating the UAE's position as a preferred and sustainable destination for tourism, investments and tourism projects.

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Soaring tourism numbers bolster UAE’s economy

UAE’s tourism sector defies odds to attract record tourist numbers over the past year

The year began on a high note for the UAE’s tourism sector, with Dubai being named the world’s most popular destination at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards 2023. This was the second consecutive time the online travel platform recognised Dubai’s tremendous tourism appeal based on aggregated reviews of millions of travellers between November 2021 and October 2022.

Just as Tripadvisor unveiled the ranking, the United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO) released data showing that the Middle East had enjoyed the strongest relative increase in international tourist numbers globally in 2022, with arrivals reaching 83 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.

Previously, a September 2022 report by UNWTO stated that the Middle East had demonstrated the fastest recovery between January to July 2022, with arrivals growing almost four times year-on-year, reaching 79 per cent of 2019 levels. And within the region, the UAE was the only country to exceed pre-pandemic tourism levels in the first seven months of 2022.

This surge in tourist numbers can be attributed to several factors such as visa reforms announced last year which made travelling to the UAE much easier. The new visa rules allow visitors to stay in the country for 60 days instead of 30 days. The new multiple-entry five-year tourist visa has also encouraged repeat visits to the country.

Tourist entries were further enhanced by UAE’s airlines, which not only resumed service to routes suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic but added new destinations and frequencies.

Passenger traffic triples at Abu Dhabi International Airport

The UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi has emerged as prominent gateway to the country. According to the Moodie Davitt Report, 15.54 million visitors travelled through Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2022. The number is triple the number the airport served in 2021 (5.26 million), marking a recovery of 73.6 per cent of pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism also reported an occupancy rate of 70 per cent, with 4.1 million visitors staying in the emirate’s hotels last year. Hotel revenues climbed by 23 per cent from the previous year to Dhs5.4bn in 2022.

“2022 was a remarkable year for Abu Dhabi in passenger traffic terms. Looking ahead, we are working towards readiness to accommodate even greater passenger traffic in 2023, which we anticipate, as higher numbers of international visitors come to the UAE for key events,” said Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, Abu Dhabi Airports managing director and CEO, in a statement.

Millions attend Dubai events

Dubai welcomed 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, surpassing global and regional barometers of recovery, driven by events such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Gulfood, the World Government Summit, Gitex Global and the Arabian Travel Market. Data published by UNWTO in January showed that tourist travel to the city reached 86 per cent, exceeding global recovery levels of 63 per cent and Middle East recovery levels of 83 per cent in 2022.

“Art and culture travel has also emerged as a significant trend in Dubai. The city’s diverse heritage and contemporary arts scene offer a unique blend of traditional and modern art experiences, including the Art Dubai and World Art Dubai events, attracting global and regional audiences,” says Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).

Aviation and hospitality initiatives boom in RAK

Among the Northern Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) posted impressive results for 2022. With over 1.13 million overnight arrivals in 2022, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recorded the highest-ever annual visitor numbers to the emirate. International visitors rose by 40 per cent, with Kazakhstan, Russia, the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic serving as key source markets.

In 2022, RAKTDA undertook a host of initiatives to drive tourist numbers. The authority held over 90 roadshows, trade fairs and media events across 24 markets and more than 50 events within the emirate, such as the Arab Aviation Summit and DP World Tour.

RAKTDA is now aiming to attract three million visitors annually by 2030. “We’ll do this by expanding global access and seamless connectivity to the emirate via strategic airline partnerships such as Qatar Airways,” says Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA.

Phillips is referring to the announcement made by the airline at Arab Aviation Summit held in March to operate direct flights to the emirate from November this year. RAKTDA also entered into an agreement with FTI Group, a major German tour operator, paving the way for twice-weekly direct flights from Munich to Ras Al Khaimah, also beginning in Q4 2023.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air also offers two weekly flights to RAK, making access to the emirate easier for tourists.

Concurrently, RAK is gearing up for a massive boom in its hospitality portfolio with 19 properties (6,533 keys) in the pipeline for the next few years, including the multi-billion-dollar integrated resort development with Wynn Resorts in early 2027 – the largest-of-its-kind foreign direct investment in Ras al Khaimah.

“Another key to sustaining our growth is positioning ourselves as a destination of the future, driven by sustainability, accessibility and diversification. We have already committed Dhs500m for the development of over 20 purpose-driven tourism projects that will enhance our natural environment.

We are also investing in cultural conservation, with four tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and diversifying our portfolio with sustainable accommodation on Jebel Jais to provide a mountain retreat experience with guided treks, mindful pursuits and creative experiences,” adds Phillips.

Northern Emirates on an upward trajectory

Data released by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) showed that the emirate’s hospitality sector registered 626,000 guests for H1 2022, marking an increase of 12 per cent compared to the same period in 2021.

The emirate remained the preferred destination for European tourists, with 1.4 million hotel guests, of which 165,000 were from Russia.

The total number of German hotel guests showed a 31 per cent increase compared to the previous year. SCTDA revealed that hotel earnings amounted to more than Dhs200m in H1 2022, showing a 50 per cent increase in the same period in 2021.

Passenger traffic at Sharjah Airport saw a jump of 84.73 per cent with 13 million travellers in 2022, achieving the pre-pandemic levels (13.6 million passengers in 2019) as opposed to seven million passengers in 2021.

Ajman also showed upward movement in tourist numbers. Compared to 2021, the hospitality sector witnessed a 9 per cent overall revenue growth, a 26 per cent increase in foreign visitors, and a 14 per cent increase in the average room rates in 2022.

“The tourism sector continues its recovery, and what has been accomplished so far is a result of the full collaboration with our stakeholders to achieve the common strategic goals,” said Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, director general of Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD), at the department’s annual meeting in January.

Further up the coast, Umm Al Quwain is also keen on capturing a share of the country’s tourism market and emerging as the focal point of UAE’s ecotourism efforts through its Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy 2031.

Under the strategy, eight transformative projects will be delivered across diverse industries, including the Umm Al Quwain Mangroves Reserve development, which will allow visitors to explore natural sceneries and the coastline of the emirate.

Tourism to the UAE’s eastern coast also performed well, according to real estate consultancy CBRE. Fujairah reported a 26.7 per cent growth in revenue per available room during the second quarter of 2022.

“Additionally, Fujairah had higher growth in occupancy levels than the rest of the UAE and one of the strongest growths in terms of average daily rates,” stated the CBRE report. In the future, the emirate aims to attract 100,000 visitors when it opens its Qidfa development project.

The tourism sector has become a key driver of the UAE’s diversification efforts and a major contributor to its GDP. As momentum continues to accelerate across the country, the Emirates’ tourism boards are actively investing in new initiatives, enhancing stakeholder relationships, rolling out global campaigns and leveraging growing MICE segments to bring in visitors.

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Dubai receives 14.36 mn international visitors

05 Feb, 2023

- Dubai receives 14.36 million international visitors in 2022 .. Exceptional growth in visitation enables city to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels Hamdan bin Mohammed: Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry - “The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy” - Guided by its visionary leadership, Dubai consolidates its status as the world’s most popular destination, with 97 per cent YoY increase in visitation - Tourist travel to Dubai in 2022 reaches 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, exceeding global recovery - levels of 63 per cent and Middle East recovery levels of 83 per cent - Stellar performance contributes to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal of consolidating Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business - Growth validates city’s ranking as No. 1 global destination in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for second successive year - Dubai sees one of the world’s highest average occupancy rates of 73 per cent in 2022 Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said: “Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth, which has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry, demonstrates the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform the emirate into an important global player in shaping the future of vital sectors. The remarkable rise in international visitation in 2022 supports the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy. “The exceptional growth in the inflow of visitors reflects Dubai’s continued rise as one of the world’s most connected cities and its determination to lead the world in hospitality infrastructure and service levels. The high growth shows the world that we never rest on our achievements and constantly work to raise our benchmarks. I am confident that Dubai will be an even greater catalyst for the growth of global tourism and travel connectivity in the years ahead." By closing in on its pre-pandemic visitation of 16.73 million in 2019, Dubai’s 2022 tourism performance further validated its ranking as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 for the second successive year, only the second city in history to achieve the feat. The latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows that global tourist travel in 2022 was 37 per cent lower than 2019. The Middle East saw the strongest relative increase, with arrivals climbing to 83 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers. Dubai exceeded both global and regional barometers of recovery with visitors to the city in 2022 reaching 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. His Excellency, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “Aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the world’s most visited and re-visited destination, the performance of our industry in 2022 shows the extraordinary progress made by the city over the past two years. While the global economy remains in a state of flux, Dubai has emerged as a clear leader in the tourism industry. The robust performance is a testament to Dubai’s growing role at the vanguard of global tourism recovery. The positive momentum also shows that tourism remains a significant contributor to the city’s economic growth and sustainable development, further driving the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to reinforce Dubai’s status as one of world’s top three cities for tourism and business. “The effectiveness of our strategies and initiatives gives us the confidence to tap new growth opportunities in the global travel and business sectors over the next few decades. As the fastest growing city in the Middle East, Dubai’s continuous growth has been made possible by the unwavering support of our stakeholders and partners and a raft of strategic investments and federal policy reforms that have led to a steady flow of global entrepreneurs, talent, investors, and business and leisure travellers. The industry-wide success has also encouraged us to redouble our efforts to provide more opportunities for Emirati talent to contribute to the growth of Dubai’s tourism sector, aligned with our cutting-edge industry nationalisation programme to build the next generation of tourism professionals. We will continue to accelerate momentum throughout 2023 and beyond by focusing on all the key elements that have placed Dubai at the forefront of the world’s leading travel destinations – a diversified approach to markets, an evolving multifaceted destination proposition, continuous collaboration with our partners, all of which have enabled us to deliver exceptional value to visitors from around the world,” HE Helal Almarri added. Dubai’s international markets maintain momentum The strong performance in 2022 features some noteworthy spikes in Dubai’s traditional key markets and strong growth across emerging markets. Dubai remained a first-choice safe travel destination for visitors from the city’s stronghold markets. From a regional perspective, Western Europe and GCC regions each accounted for a 21 per cent share of arrivals. The GCC region in particular saw an exponential increase in their share of arrivals from 13 per cent in 2021 to 21 per cent last year. South Asia contributed 17 per cent of total volumes while the MENA region contributed 12 per cent, further reinforcing Dubai’s continued appeal to travellers from proximity markets. The Americas accounted for seven per cent of arrivals while the North Asia and South East Asia region and Africa each contributed five per cent and Australasia accounted for two per cent. His Excellency, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “As Dubai continues to grow exponentially in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by our visionary leadership to make Dubai one of the world’s top three cities for tourism and business, it remains committed to moving to the next level with new and unique world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions. The sheer diversity of the destination proposition and Dubai’s growing profile as a safe, open and accessible destination saw the city being chosen as the No.1 global destination for the second year in a row in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023. Our partners played a pivotal role in achieving the No.1 ranking with their contributions to both Dubai’s tourism growth and the sector’s global rebound, as well as their active participation in all our global campaigns and marketing activities that have driven consideration for Dubai as the destination of choice for global travellers. The exceptional support of our public and private sector stakeholders and partners will be instrumental in raising our ability to showcase our unmatched offering designed to meet the diverse preferences and budgets of international travellers, as we gear up to welcome more visitors to Dubai in 2023.” Hospitality sector achieves significant growth Dubai’s hotel sector, which continues to be integral to the emirate’s destination promise and the overall growth of the tourism industry, continued to perform strongly across all hospitality metrics. Average occupancy for the hotel sector in 2022 stood at 73 per cent, one of the highest in the world, rising from 67 per cent in 2021. The figure is just short of the 75 per cent occupancy in the pre-pandemic period of 2019. The high occupancy is particularly noteworthy as it was achieved despite a 16 per cent increase in room supply in 2022 compared to 2019. Dubai’s hotel inventory at the end of December 2022 comprised of 146,496 rooms at 804 hotel establishments, compared to 126,120 rooms available at the end of December 2019 across 741 establishments. The total number of hotels in 2022 marked a six per cent growth over 2021, with 755 hotel establishments offering 137,950 rooms, figures that highlight the continued strong investor confidence in Dubai’s tourism sector. The hotel sector outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all other key measurements – Occupied Room Nights, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Occupied room nights reached a record high of 37.43 million room nights in 2022, registering a 19 per cent increase vs. 2021 (31.47 million) and a 17 per cent increase over the pre-pandemic period of 2019, which yielded 32.11 million occupied room nights. The ADR of AED536 in 2022 surpassed the ADRs for both 2021 (AED451) and 2019 (AED415), with 19 per cent and 29 per cent increases respectively. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 30 per cent compared to 2021 (AED391 v AED301) and an increase of 25 per cent over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). Celebrity-led global campaigns One of the driving factors behind Dubai’s success in 2022 can be attributed to captivating global campaigns conducted in collaboration with regional and international celebrities, opinion leaders, influencers and community personalities that highlighted the city’s unique appeal and brought to life the myriad experiences it offers. One such campaign is Dubai Presents, which takes a novel approach to global destination marketing, using a highly stylised movie approach to create engaging content. Shot against the backdrop of some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and unique hidden locations, these short films feature Hollywood stars like Jessica Alba and Zac Efron. The ‘Where the World Celebrates’ global campaign that coincided with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar featured French football star Karim Benzema. International events destination One of the biggest success stories of the region in 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai, made a massive contribution to the tourism industry’s outstanding performance. The six-month long event, which attracted over 24 million visits, once again proved Dubai’s ability to host mega global events and reinforced its position as an international events destination. Dubai seeks to further enhance its destination proposition across all tourism pillars, leveraging the retail and events sectors to attract more domestic and global visitors. In addition to Expo 2020, Dubai continued to host global business and leisure events across 2022 including Gulfood, the World Government Summit, Binance Blockchain Week, Gitex Global Dubai, the International Boat Show and the Arabian Travel Market. In addition to this, the city also hosted the Skift Global Forum East, the first-ever international extension of the world’s flagship travel conference, the Skift Global Forum. At this event, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of an annual Dubai Tourism Summit. Every year, as part of its Retail Calendar, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment team (DFRE) organises major festivals and events including the iconic internationally-renowned Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and Dubai Fitness Challenge. In 2022, DFRE also launched the inaugural Dubai Esports Festival, the largest international esports tournament to be held in the region. A leading sports tourism destination, Dubai also hosts an extensive line-up of annual global sports tournaments and events , attracting sporting icons, players and fans from around the world. In 2022 the city’s international sporting calendar included the Dubai World Cup horse race, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and the DP World Tour championship, to name a few. Dubai pulled out all stops to enable residents and visiting fans to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2022 at buzzing hotspots in the city. Dubai was chosen as one of six cities globally to host an official FIFA Fan Festival, making Dubai a focal point for the international football fraternity. Culinary innovation and accolades Dubai’s culinary sector was a significant driver of growth in 2022, with the city’s rich, creative and multi-cultural dining scene attracting visitors and accolades from across the globe. Dubai’s eclectic gastronomic scene features around 13,000 restaurants and cafés, ranging from homegrown eateries to gourmet institutions and fine dining restaurants, offering diverse cuisines. The city’s thriving culinary landscape was recognised with the launch of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Dubai in June 2022. The first regional edition of the world’s most prestigious restaurant guide featured a total of 69 restaurants, including 14 Bib Gourmand winners. Further, Dubai’s restaurants and chefs were recognised in the inaugural edition of the Middle East & North Africa region’s 50 Best Restaurants list unveiled in February 2022, which celebrates culinary excellence across the region. The arrival of fine dining food critique brand Gault&Millau also contributed to the evolution of the dining scene in Dubai. In 2022, DET launched the region’s first-ever Gastronomy Industry Report, a comprehensive study of the gastronomy scene in the city and the region, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a highly sought-after global food tourism destination. Delivering on sustainability goals With sustainability embedded in its tourism strategy, Dubai has taken decisive measures to position itself as a top choice for holidaymakers seeking sustainable and safe destinations. Throughout 2022, Dubai worked tirelessly to achieve the city’s sustainability goals, led by Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), an initiative aimed at raising the city’s profile as a leading sustainable destination. DST has taken steps to contribute to the city’s broader clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. With 2023 declared as the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and Expo City Dubai hosting COP28, the UN Climate Change conference, the year will be key for advancing Dubai’s vision to enhance sustainability and forge global cooperation to address vital issues. The last year saw the launch of ‘Dubai Can’, an innovative citywide sustainability initiative, as part of the drive to transform the emirate into a leading sustainable destination and the world’s best city to live and work. Global cruise and yacht tourism destination Cruise and yacht tourism played a crucial role in attracting international tourists and strengthening Dubai’s position as a global travel hub in 2022. The expansion of the cruise sector has further consolidated Dubai’s status as the cruise hub of the region. Similarly, with its world-class infrastructure, advanced facilities, year-round sunshine, luxury marinas, award-winning tourism offerings, rich maritime history and picturesque coastline, Dubai continues to amplify its appeal as a global superyacht hub. New landmarks and initiatives to spur growth In 2022, a number of new attractions and initiatives were launched as part of the ever-evolving destination proposition. These include the unveiling of the Museum of the Future, Dubai’s new iconic landmark that offers a gateway to a future world. Dubai also unveiled Expo City, the dynamic legacy of Expo 2020, an innovation-driven, human centric vision of the future, and Atlantis The Royal, a mega resort located on Palm Jumeirah. With the implementation of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to expand the emirate’s tourism offering by over 100%, Dubai is on track to achieve its vision of becoming the city of the future. Moreover, Dubai will launch new initiatives aligned with the UAE 2031 Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract 40 million guests by 2031 and increase the tourism sector's contribution to the emirate’s GDP to AED 450 billion. Dubai also continues to unveil strong regulatory initiatives to promote the accelerated growth of the tourism sector including hassle-free entry procedures for business and leisure travellers that streamline access to the emirate by establishing long-term engagement with the city. These include the 60-day tourist visa available from September 2022, and the Five-Year Multi-Entry Visa for employees of multinational companies, in addition to the Golden Visa, Virtual Working and Retire in Dubai programmes. In 2022, Dubai was selected as one of 20 destinations globally under Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere initiative to identify the world’s most remote worker-friendly destinations. Airbnb also launched the Dubai Remote Working Hub, a one-stop-shop for aspiring remote workers in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

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Dubai recorded 23.7 million arrivals in 2022

Passenger number through airports, sea ports and hatta border up 89% year-on-year, government data shows.

Dubai welcomed more than 107,000 passengers on New Year's Eve by air, land and sea. Photo: Dubai Airports

Dubai recorded almost 23.7 million traveller arrivals in 2022, up 89 per cent from 2021, as the tourism and business hub continues to benefit from the easing of pandemic restrictions that has unleashed pent-up travel demand .

Of the total arrivals, 21.8 million arrived at airports, 1.6 million came through the Hatta Border Crossing between the UAE and Oman and 242,700 used seaports, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement on Thursday.

During 2022, #Dubai saw a significant increase in the number of travelers arriving through its various ports, with over 23.5 million people visiting the emirate. This marks an 89% increase compared to 2021. https://t.co/aO8poPNclF pic.twitter.com/uGGkB0fE2T — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 5, 2023

The city, famous for its ultra-luxury hotels and fine-dining, attracted more than 107,082 passengers on New Year's Eve alone, the data showed.

These included 95,445 travellers arriving through its airports, 6,527 by Hatta Border Crossing and 5,010 by ship.

Dubai International Airport retained its position as the world's busiest for international passengers in December — ahead of other major hubs such as London Heathrow — spurred by the rebound of Emirates airline .

It recorded 4.6 million seats in December, up 8 per cent on November, and just over one million seats more than the next busiest airport, London Heathrow, OAG said in its monthly World's Busiest Airports report.

Dubai government safety measures, cooler weather, a growing list of tourist attractions and people's desire to travel after two years of lockdowns are among factors making the emirate an attractive destination for visitors, Dubai Airports' chief executive Paul Griffiths said in November.

This followed strong travel demand during the peak summer season, as international borders reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The Gulf hub benefitted from running smooth operations, compared with some major European airports that were left reeling from delays that caused widespread disruption as demand roared back.

Dubai Airports said it estimates 64.3 million passengers travelled through Dubai International Airport in 2022, about 3 per cent more than its last annual forecast in August of 62.4 million passengers.

A strong third quarter and expectations of surging volumes in the last three months of last year led to the revised estimate.

Dubai's tourism industry is taking a more “nimble” approach to its pricing and providing cheaper hotel options in response to the challenging global economic conditions that are tightening the budgets of travellers, the emirate's tourism chief said last month.

The appetite for travel to Dubai “is still there”, with the emirate tapping into new and diversified source markets, Issam Kazim, chief executive of the Dubai Department for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the recently held Skift Global Forum East.

However, the emirate is taking a strategic approach by offering the “right price and the right product” to capitalise on that demand, he said.

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Dubai Tourism Statistics

In just a few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a desert backwater into one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. And now, the city is aiming to become the most visited tourist destination on the planet, with a new tourism strategy that is targeting 25 million visitors by 2025.

To achieve this goal, the city is investing heavily in infrastructure, hotels, tourist attractions, and shopping malls.

The city has already taken steps to improve its infrastructure and visitor experience.

The extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro has made it possible for visitors to reach new areas of Dubai that were previously difficult to reach by public transport.

Expo 2020 Metro Station - Dubai Metro Red Line Extension

Dubai is constantly evolving, and there are always new attractions to see and experience.

One of the latest additions to the city is Ain Dubai , which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. For those who want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, this is a must-see attraction. The View at the Palm also offers stunning panoramic views.

The Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind institution that explores the latest technological innovations, while Madame Tussauds Dubai brings iconic celebrities to life with lifelike wax figures.

These new attractions are sure to wow visitors and continue to put Dubai on the map as a must-see destination.

The city is home to some of the most luxurious and opulent hotels in the world, and new properties are being built all the time. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal, and W Dubai Mina Seyahi are just three of the hotels that opened in 2022.

These developments have made Dubai even more appealing to tourists from all over the world. There is no doubt that it is on track to becoming the most visited city on earth.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021.

However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so a more accurate comparison is with pre-pandemic figures.

In the first half of 2019, 8.36 million tourists visited the city. This means that while there has been an increase in tourism since the pandemic began, the number of tourists has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the difference between the 2022 and 2019 figures is due to the loss of Chinese tourists. In the first 6 months of 2019, 501,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai. In 2022, China’s borders remained effectively sealed as the country continued to pursue a zero-tolerance approach to a virus that other parts of the world have accepted as endemic.

However, with vaccines now available and travel restrictions beginning to ease, it is expected that Dubai will soon return to the pre-pandemic growth levels.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

After a difficult year in 2020, Dubai’s tourism industry saw a rebound in visitor numbers in 2021. With global travel ramping up and COVID-19 restrictions easing, the city welcomed back tourists from all over the world.

In total, 7.28 million visitors arrived in the city in 2021, compared to 5.51 million in 2020. This was a significant increase of over 32 per cent.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the statistics for the first half of 2022, the top five countries of origin for visitors are India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia.

These five countries account for over 40 per cent of all visitors to Dubai. However, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of visitors from other countries as well.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

India has always been an important market for Dubai’s tourism sector, and that was no different in 2021. India remained the city’s top international visitor source market, accounting for 910,000 visitors. That’s a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Many factors have contributed to India being the top source of visitors. One is the abundance of direct flights that make it convenient and affordable for Indian travellers to visit Dubai. Another is the wide range of hotel options, which appeals to a broad range of travellers.

Saudi Arabia had the second highest number of visitors in 2021 with 491,000 visitors. This was an increase of over 22 per cent from the previous year. This is a very impressive result, especially considering that Saudi Arabia closed its borders to all travel up to May 2021.

Russia was again one of the city’s largest tourism source markets, with 444,000 visitors in 2021, an increase of 50 per cent from the previous year.

Visitors from Oman, historically one of Dubai’s top five source markets, were significantly reduced in 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Omani government reopened its borders with the UAE to vaccinated travellers in September 2021.

Visitors by Source Market – January to June 2022 and 2021

Western Europe and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) were the top source markets for the city in the first 6 months of 2022.

As noted above, Oman and Saudi Arabia have historically been amongst Dubai’s top international visitor source markets. Both of these GCC countries had strict travel restrictions in place for much of 2021.

Purpose of Visit

The data for 2021 and previous years shows that most people travel to Dubai for leisure reasons, whether it be to enjoy the city’s many attractions or to relax in its luxurious hotels and resorts. Business travellers accounted for 12 per cent of all visitors to the city in 2021, which was consistent with 2020. Many business visitors are attracted by events such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.

The proportion of travellers visiting the city to see friends and relatives in 2021 rose to 16 per cent, up 3 per cent from 2020.

Hotels – Room Nights

In 2021, hotels in Dubai bounced back from the pandemic with some of their best results ever.

Thanks to a strong rise in the number of domestic guests, the city’s hotel industry had the second highest number of room nights sold on record. The remarkable figure of 31.47 million was only slightly down on the pre-pandemic peak of 32.11 million recorded in 2019.

Guests also stayed longer in 2021, averaging 4.6 nights compared to 4.2 nights the year before.

Hotels – Number and Occupancy

In 2021, Dubai offered more hotel choices to travellers, as the city’s hotel room inventory grew. At the end of the year, the city had a total of 755 hotels and hotel apartments with 137,950 rooms available. This is compared to 711 hotels and hotel apartments with 126,947 rooms at the end of 2020.

This increase in the number of hotel rooms provided travellers with more options to find lodging that met their needs and budget.

The average hotel occupancy rate in 2021 was 67 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2020.

Hotels – Location

Hotels and hotel apartments are found in many areas of Dubai.

The areas with the greatest number of rooms are Deira , Al Barsha , Jumeirah , Downtown Dubai , and Dubai Marina .

The Palm Jumeirah has the highest proportion of 5-star rooms. 87 per cent of available rooms here are in 5-star hotels. Bur Dubai has the lowest proportion of 5-star rooms.

Jebel Ali and Deira are best for budget visitors. In both of these areas, the proportion of rooms in 1 to 3-star hotels is just under 40 per cent.

Top World Cities by Visitor Numbers

According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018 (published September 2019), Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. Only Bangkok, Paris, and London attracted more overnight visitors.

Dubai was the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

Dubai topped the list for both total and average daily visitor spending. The average visitor to the city spent $533 (£464.17, €538.95, 1957.76 AED) per day in 2018, much higher than in any of the other cities.

Total visitor spending in Dubai for the year was $30.82 billion.

At the time of writing (September 2022), Mastercard has not published the report for any years after 2018.

Dubai International Airport Passenger Numbers

According to a report from Airports Council International (published in April 2022), Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world’s busiest airport in 2021 in terms of international passenger traffic.

The busiest airport in terms of total passengers (international and domestic) was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The UAE is a small country. There are no domestic flights from Dubai International Airport or any other airport in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah).

Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of the world’s airports.

Dubai Duty Free - Dubai International Airport

Top Tourist Attractions

According to Tripadvisor the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai (September 2022) are:

Burj Khalifa
Dubai Fountain
Dubai Miracle Garden
Global Village
Dubai Frame
Atlantis Aquaventure
Burj Al Arab
Dubai Creek
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Mall of the Emirates
The Lost Chambers
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai Marina
LEGOLAND Dubai

Tripadvisor is a travel website that helps users find hotels, restaurants, and activities for their upcoming trips. The website also includes user-generated reviews and ratings, as well as photos and videos. It is a great resource for travellers who want to get the most out of their trip.

America still has the world's busiest airport

Posted: April 16, 2024 | Last updated: April 19, 2024

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New data on the world's busiest airports in 2023 reveals the latest trends in global travel. </li><li>8.5 billion passengers traveled by plane last year, almost marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. </li><li>Airports in Asia and the Middle East became busier, but the US has once again clinched the top spot. </li></ul><p>International travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the just-released list of the world's busiest airports in 2023.</p><p>8.5 billion passengers traveled globally by plane last year — up from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-busiest-airports-worldwide-2022-atlanta-dallas-denver-travel-rebound-2023-4">7 billion passengers in 2022</a>.</p><p>The rise in air travel marks a recovery to 93.8% of levels in 2019 before the world shut down, according to preliminary data published by the <a href="https://aci.aero/2024/04/14/top-10-busiest-airports-in-the-world-shift-with-the-rise-of-international-air-travel-demand/">Airports Council International </a>(ACI), a trade association that includes 2,600 airports worldwide.</p><p>Increasing travel to airports in Asia and the Middle East was one of the key trends to emerge from the data, with Dubai International Airport jumping from the fifth to the second busiest airport in the world.</p><p>Airports in India, Japan, and Turkey also made it into the top 10 and were some of the biggest movers in terms of annual gains in passenger numbers.</p><p>As the world's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/busiest-domestic-flight-routes-in-us-ranked-2023-12">largest domestic market for flights</a>, US airports still make up five of the busiest airports in the world, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its No. 1 position.</p><p>Despite tough global economic conditions, there was "a growing inclination towards travel," Luis Felipe de Oliveira, the ACI's world director general, said in a press release.</p><p>"Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel," said Oliveira.</p><p>Here's a closer look at the top 10 busiest airports in the world.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/busiest-airports-in-the-world-ranking-travel-post-pandemic-2024-4">Business Insider</a></div>

New data on the world's busiest airports in 2023 reveals the latest trends in global travel.
8.5 billion passengers traveled by plane last year, almost marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.
Airports in Asia and the Middle East became busier, but the US has once again clinched the top spot.

International travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the just-released list of the world's busiest airports in 2023.

8.5 billion passengers traveled globally by plane last year — up from 7 billion passengers in 2022 .

The rise in air travel marks a recovery to 93.8% of levels in 2019 before the world shut down, according to preliminary data published by the Airports Council International (ACI), a trade association that includes 2,600 airports worldwide.

Increasing travel to airports in Asia and the Middle East was one of the key trends to emerge from the data, with Dubai International Airport jumping from the fifth to the second busiest airport in the world.

Airports in India, Japan, and Turkey also made it into the top 10 and were some of the biggest movers in terms of annual gains in passenger numbers.

As the world's largest domestic market for flights , US airports still make up five of the busiest airports in the world, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its No. 1 position.

Despite tough global economic conditions, there was "a growing inclination towards travel," Luis Felipe de Oliveira, the ACI's world director general, said in a press release.

"Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel," said Oliveira.

Here's a closer look at the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

<p><strong>Passengers:</strong> 72.2 million</p><p><strong> 2022 ranking: </strong>9th</p><p>Delhi's main airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, saw a 21.4% increase in year-on-year traffic. While it has dropped a place this year, Delhi has grown significantly as a transport hub since 2019, when it sat at number 19 in the rankings.</p>

10. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India

Passengers: 72.2 million

2022 ranking: 9th

Delhi's main airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, saw a 21.4% increase in year-on-year traffic. While it has dropped a place this year, Delhi has grown significantly as a transport hub since 2019, when it sat at number 19 in the rankings.

<p><strong>Passengers:</strong> 73.9 million</p><p><strong>2022 ranking:</strong> 4th</p><p>Travel through <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snowstorm-causes-travel-chaos-thousands-flights-canceled-chicago-airports-2024-1">Chicago O'Hare</a> jumped by 8.1% throughout 2023. O'Hare is a hub airport for domestic travel, particularly for United and American Airlines flights. It is also a focus city for low-cost rivals Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.</p>

9. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA

Passengers: 73.9 million

2022 ranking: 4th

Travel through Chicago O'Hare jumped by 8.1% throughout 2023. O'Hare is a hub airport for domestic travel, particularly for United and American Airlines flights. It is also a focus city for low-cost rivals Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

<p><strong>Passengers:</strong> 75.1 million</p><p><strong>2022 ranking:</strong> 6th</p><p>Travel through LAX was up 13.8% in 2023, however, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, passengers at the West Coast airport decreased by 14.8% — the largest decrease of any airport in the top ten rankings. LAX is a hub for a number of carriers, including Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Delta. But domestic travel at the airport shrunk dramatically as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-cutting-20-routes-leaving-5-cities-see-list-2024-3">airlines cut the number of flights</a> following a series of meltdowns in 2022.</p>

8. Los Angeles International Airport, USA

Passengers: 75.1 million

2022 ranking: 6th

Travel through LAX was up 13.8% in 2023, however, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, passengers at the West Coast airport decreased by 14.8% — the largest decrease of any airport in the top ten rankings. LAX is a hub for a number of carriers, including Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Delta. But domestic travel at the airport shrunk dramatically as airlines cut the number of flights following a series of meltdowns in 2022.

Istanbul Airport ranked No. 7 among the world's busiest airports for 2023. <a>gokcentunc/Shutterstock.com</a>

7. Istanbul Airport, Turkey

Passengers: 76 million

2022 ranking: 7th

Passenger numbers at Turkey's Istanbul airport have increased by 18.3%, making it the only transit hub to keep level with its previous ranking in the top 10. Notably, traffic through the airport has jumped by 45.7% since 2019.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kuru Footwear compiled a list of the US airports with the longest and shortest walks to the gate.</li><li>Dallas Fort Worth International Airport featured the longest walk at 2.16 miles.</li><li>Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky had the shortest walk, measuring 0.11 miles.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-airports-in-north-america-jd-power-2023-9">Airports</a> often feature moving walkways and shuttles to help transport passengers across large distances, but it can still take a while to walk from the check-in area to boarding.</p><p>As Business Insider previously reported, most <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-airports-are-so-inefficient-2016-10">airports</a> are designed to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-airports-trick-you-spending-money">get passengers to spend money</a> rather than for efficiency. Lining huge airport terminals with shops and restaurants forces travelers to walk past them, increasing the likelihood of those travelers making a purchase.</p><p>Non-aeronautical revenue — the commercial side of airports including retail concessions, food and beverages, and parking — accounted for 34% of all airport income in 2021, according to Airports Council International's 2023 <a href="https://store.aci.aero/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Airport-Economics_Final.pdf">Airport Economics Report</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.kurufootwear.com/a/blog/airport-walking-distances">Kuru Footwear</a> determined the largest and smallest US airports by land area, then measured the distance between check-in and boarding at the gates using airport maps and Google Maps.</p><p>Here are the five US airports with the longest walks to the gate, and the five airports with the shortest walks, according to its report.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-airports-longest-shortest-walks-to-gate-2024-3">Business Insider</a></div>

6. Denver International Airport, USA

Passengers: 77.8 million

2022 ranking: 3rd

Denver Airport has dropped down several places on the list but still shows strong signs of growth in terms of passengers. In the last year traffic through the Colorado airport was up 12.3%, and it has also grown 12.8% from pre-pandemic levels.

<p><strong>Passengers:</strong> 78.7 million</p><p><strong>2022 ranking:</strong> 16th</p><p>Japan's Tokyo Haneda Airport saw the largest increase in traffic by far, with passenger numbers surging by 55.1%. Some of that jump can be explained by a lag in tourism as Japan only reopened its borders in late 2022. Despite the jump, Tokyo Haneda is still 7.9% under its 2019 level of traffic. This January the airport made headlines after a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/japan-airlines-plane-set-on-fire-tokyo-haneda-airport-airbus-2024-1">fatal collision</a> involving a Japan Airlines plane and a coastguard vehicle killed five people.</p>

5. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan

Passengers: 78.7 million

2022 ranking: 16th

Japan's Tokyo Haneda Airport saw the largest increase in traffic by far, with passenger numbers surging by 55.1%. Some of that jump can be explained by a lag in tourism as Japan only reopened its borders in late 2022. Despite the jump, Tokyo Haneda is still 7.9% under its 2019 level of traffic. This January the airport made headlines after a fatal collision involving a Japan Airlines plane and a coastguard vehicle killed five people.

4. London Heathrow, UK

Passengers: 79.2 million

2022 ranking: 8th

Travel through the UK's largest airport shot up by 218% in 2022 and has once again made strong gains throughout 2023, jumping by a slightly more modest 28.5%. The airport has credited travel from the Asia-Pacific region as a major factor in its increased passenger numbers. It hopes to supersede its pre-pandemic level of traffic in 2024 and hit a record 81.4 million passengers, the airport said in a report published in December.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, known as DFW, is a major hub for American Airlines. <a>LJ Jones/Shutterstock</a>

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA

Passengers: 81.8 million

2022 ranking: 2nd

Dallas/Fort Worth airport , known as DFW, is American Airlines' busiest hub and the departure city for many of the airline's international flights. Last year traffic through the airport jumped by 11.4%.

Departures at Dubai International Airport in February 2022. <a>KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images</a>

2. Dubai International Airport, UAE

Passengers: 87 million

2022 ranking: 5th

Dubai took the number 2 ranking in the list for the first time, thanks to a significant 31.7% increase in passenger numbers. Dubai's new position reflects the heavy investment that has gone into the aviation industry and boosting tourism in the region.

<p><strong>Passengers: </strong>104.7 million</p><p><strong>2022 ranking: </strong>1st</p><p>Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport comes in at No. 1 as the busiest airport in the world, a position it has held for more than two decades. In 2023, the Atlanta airport saw an 11.7% increase in passenger numbers.</p><p>Here's a look at <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-it-takes-air-traffic-controller-at-worlds-busiest-airport-2020-11">what it takes to be an air traffic controller</a> at the world's busiest airport.</p>

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA

Passengers: 104.7 million

2022 ranking: 1st

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport comes in at No. 1 as the busiest airport in the world, a position it has held for more than two decades. In 2023, the Atlanta airport saw an 11.7% increase in passenger numbers.

Here's a look at what it takes to be an air traffic controller at the world's busiest airport.

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Arrivals of international tourists in the UAE 2012-2021

Number of international tourists arriving in the united arab emirates from 2012 to 2021 (in millions).

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August 2022

United Arab Emirates

2012 to 2021

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Premium Statistic Arrival of international tourists in Saudi Arabia 2012-2021
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About the region

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Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Europe 2006-2023
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January 2022

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Statistics on " Tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates "

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COMMENTS

Annual Visitor Report 2022
Annual Visitor Report 2022. Thu, 28 September 2023. Dubai once again demonstrated its leadership by spearheading the post-pandemic global tourism recovery in 2022, with the emirate welcoming 14.36 million overnight visitors in the calendar year. These inspiring words from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum serve as a reminder of ...
Dubai receives 14.36 million international visitors in 2022
Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched ...
Tourism Performance Report Jan 2022
Tourism Performance Report Jan 2022. Tue, 22 February 2022. Dubai welcomes 979.7K overnight visitors in Jan 2022, with the highest number of international guest from Saudi Arabia at 105K. Note: Russia/CIS/EE numbers revised for Jan-Jun 2021 as Belarus visitors are granted reciprocity visa from 16th Jan 2021. Notes: (1) Nights and revenue ...
Dubai received record international visitors in 2022, close to pre
Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, up 97 per cent year-on-year from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data by Dubai's ...
Tourism Indicators
In 2022 , the contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE's GDP was nearly AED 167 billion which is equivalent to 9% of the total GDP. In 2022, the total spending of international tourists amounted to AED 117.6 billion. In 2022, the number of hotels in the UAE has increased to 1189, while the hotel capacity in the country reached ...
Dubai's international visitor numbers nearly triple in first half of 2022
Dubai hosted 7.12 million international visitors in the first half of 2022, nearly three times the 2.52 million tourists recorded in the same period last year, as it pursues its goal to become the world's most visited destination. The number brings the emirate closer to its pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels of 8.36 million arrivals in the first six ...
Dubai international visitors almost triple in first 7 months of 2022 to
Dubai welcomed about 8.1 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2022, an almost threefold increase compared to a year ago and surpassing the total for all of 2021.. The emirate, whose tourism sector has recovered significantly in the post-Covid era, hosted 7.28 million visitors in 2021.. It came close to eclipsing that total at the end of June when it welcomed 7.12 million ...
Dubai more than doubles international visitor numbers in first 10
Tourists outside the The Dubai Mall. The emirate's tourism sector has maintained a strong performance in 2022, say analysts. Bloomberg. Dubai hosted 11.4 million overnight international visitors in the first 10 months of the year, up 134 per cent from the same period in 2021, according to government statistics.
UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth
H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, revealed that the UAE's tourism sector achieved a new growth milestone in Q1 2022, underlining its competitiveness at both regional and global levels.
Tourism industry in UAE
Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in millions) Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin. Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by ...
UAE Tourism Statistics 1960-2024
Data are in current U.S. dollars. UAE tourism statistics for 2022 was 0.00, a NAN% decline from 2021. UAE tourism statistics for 2021 was 0.00, a 100% decline from 2020. UAE tourism statistics for 2020 was 24,615,400,390.63, a 35.92% decline from 2019. UAE tourism statistics for 2019 was 38,413,300,781.25, a 10.99% increase from 2018. Download ...
Soaring tourism numbers bolster UAE's economy
With over 1.13 million overnight arrivals in 2022, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recorded the highest-ever annual visitor numbers to the emirate.
UAE: number of international tourist arrivals 2014-2029
The number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 17.3 million arrivals (+63.32 percent).
Dubai Tourism Statistics 2024 [Infographics]
Dubai Tourism Statistics 2024 (Key Points) According to the research done by GMI Team, a total of 17.15 million people visited Dubai between January and December 2023. There was an approximate 19.43% increase in international visitors to Dubai in 2023 compared to 2022 (14.36 million).
Dubai receives 14.36 million international visitors in 2022
Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to ...
Visitor arrivals to Dubai by country of origin 2022
Expenditure on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029; ... Number of visitors to the U.S. from Russia 2011-2022; Number of international tourist arrivals APAC 2019, by country ...
Dubai recorded 23.7 million arrivals in 2022
Dubai recorded almost 23.7 million traveller arrivals in 2022, up 89 per cent from 2021, as the tourism and business hub continues to benefit from the easing of pandemic restrictions that has unleashed pent-up travel demand. Of the total arrivals, 21.8 million arrived at airports, 1.6 million came through the Hatta Border Crossing between the ...
Dubai Tourism Statistics
According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021. However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 ...
Tourism Performance Report January
Dubai welcomes 14.36M overnight visitors in Jan - Dec 2022, with the highest number of international guest from India at 1.8M. Note: (1) Pre-pandemic year for comparison. (2) Dubai started welcoming visitors from Israel in 2020. (3) The difference in totals is due to rounding.
Tourism Performance Report January
Mon, 25 April 2022. Dubai welcomes 3.97M overnight visitors in Jan - Mar 2022, with the highest number of international guest from Oman at 463K. Note: Russia/CIS/EE numbers revised for Jan-Jun 2021 as Belarus visitors are granted reciprocity visa from 16th Jan 2021. Notes:
1.5 billion more passengers flew last year than in 2022. These ...
Passengers: 79.2 million 2022 ranking: 8th Travel through the UK's largest airport shot up by 218% in 2022 and has once again made strong gains throughout 2023, jumping by a slightly more modest ...
UAE: international tourist arrivals
Number of international tourists arriving in the United Arab Emirates from 2012 to 2021 (in millions) [Graph], Alpen Capital, August 3, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com ...
UAE: share of hotel projects by completion date 2022-2025
A 2022 research on hotel projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the emirate of Dubai revealed that nearly half of the 118 upcoming hotel projects in the city were expected to be completed by the end of 2022. ... Leisure Travel. Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022. Profit from additional features with an Employee Account Please create an ...
UAE economy grew 3.3% in first nine months of 2023-statistics centre
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy grew 3.3% in the first nine months of 2023, preliminary GDP data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre showed on Thursday.
Tourism Performance Report January
Dubai welcomes 12.82M overnight visitors in Jan - Nov 2022, with the highest number of international guest from India at 1.6M. Note: (1) Pre-pandemic year for comparison. (2) Dubai started welcoming visitors from Israel in 2020. Notes: (1) Pre-pandemic year for comparison. (2) Average Occupancy in YTD Nov '22 only (-2.3) ppt less than pre ...
Tourism Statistics, Research and Insights
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