With record-breaking growth and strong private-public partnerships, Dubai’s tourism sector remains confident amid global headwinds.
Dubai: Dubai’s tourism sector remains confident in its ability to navigate the potential impacts of global economic headwinds and a looming recession, thanks to the city’s established resilience, diversified offerings, and agile response mechanisms.
Speaking ahead of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), highlighted the city’s strategic advantage. “I think Dubai is very well positioned to be able to actually ride this wave,” Kazim said. “The diversified approach that we’ve created for the destination also helps us in this.”
Tourism Growth Remains Strong
Dubai’s tourism sector has shown impressive growth despite global uncertainties. Kazim confirmed that Dubai Tourism recorded a 3 per cent year-on-year growth during the first quarter of 2025. “Whereas we had already come back in 2023 with record numbers, and it was a great year for us, 2024 saw a 9 per cent growth in terms of visitation. We had about 18.72 million overnight visitors that came into Dubai. And so far, the first quarter of this year is 3 per cent ahead, which means we keep raising the benchmark,” he explained.
This continuous growth positions Dubai as a beacon of stability and innovation in the global tourism landscape.
Confidence Amid Global Market Volatility
Global economic pressures, such as the ongoing US-China trade war, have caused significant downturns in markets worldwide, including the hospitality sector. Companies like InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have felt the strain, with IHG’s share prices falling by 7.9 per cent over the past month.
Despite these challenges, Kazim remains optimistic about travel demand. He acknowledged that while travelers may adjust their behaviors—opting for fewer trips or longer stays—travel will remain a necessity for both business and leisure purposes. “There will be that segment that we need to focus on within the traveling parties, and I’m confident that we will be able to ride this wave in a positive way,” he said.
Kazim also emphasized the role of Dubai’s strong integration between the public and private sectors, which allows the city to respond swiftly and effectively to global changes. “We’ve always been riding different waves, and we’ve been able to find solutions all the time by relying on this partnership,” he stated.
Industry Leaders Echo Optimism
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director at IHG Hotels and Resorts, echoed Kazim’s sentiments during the ATM 2025 press conference. “We are currently in a period of adjustment globally, and everyone is assessing the potential impact of those various announcements that we’ve heard,” he said. “It is too early to say with certainty what those impacts will look like, but what Issam has said certainly gives us greater confidence about what Dubai is poised for in the next years.”
Also present at the press conference were industry leaders including Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director – Travel Sector, RX Global; Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director for the Middle East Arabian Travel Market; Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and CCO, Emirates; and Mohamed Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel.
As global markets remain uncertain, Dubai’s tourism sector is betting on its proven track record of resilience, innovation, and strong collaborations to not only weather the storm but continue to thrive.
