Dubai welcomed approximately 869,000 international visitors in August 2026, maintaining a rapid monthly growth rate since March. This brings the total number of international visitors during the first eight months of the year to 6.97 million, according to the latest data from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism.
This momentum coincided with a significant improvement in hospitality indicators: hotel occupancy rates increased to 66% in August, compared to 36% in March, with the emirate's hotel capacity reaching about 149,000 rooms by the end of the month. Dubai's hotels recorded 21.61 million booked room nights during the first eight months of the year.
Western Europe topped the source markets from January to August, accounting for 20% of the total visitors, followed by South Asia with 17%, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with 16%, and the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe with 14%.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism confirmed it continued its efforts throughout 2026 to strengthen the city's position as a leading tourist destination. This was achieved through engaging with international travel partners and organizing exhibitions and campaigns in targeted markets. These efforts included the "Invite from Dubai" initiative, which received over 90,000 requests from residents to invite their relatives and friends to visit the emirate.
Earlier this year, the Dubai government launched an economic support package worth 2.5 billion AED (680.7 million USD) to provide direct support to the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, as part of proactive measures to ensure the sector's sustainability.
These indicators follow a record-breaking year for Dubai in 2025, when the emirate welcomed 19.59 million international tourists, a 5% annual growth. The continued rapid monthly growth for the fifth consecutive month, supported by the restoration of global air connectivity and international marketing campaigns, bolsters Dubai's position as a global tourist destination as the peak winter season approaches.