Dubai records 1.62 Mn visitors from South Asia in H1 2024

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) undertakes strategic initiatives aimed at expanding its presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian markets.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) announces to have intensified its promotional efforts in the South Asian market, with a focus on wooing more travellers to the city from India. From South Asia, Dubai welcomed 1.62 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024 compared to the 1.60 million tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023. Dubai also welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors in H1 2024, a 9% YoY increase.

DET has been targeting potential markets through a comprehensive strategy including media familiarisation visits, participation in trade exhibitions like SATTE 2024 and ATM 2024, and roadshows across key metropolitan areas, as well as Tier 2 and 3 cities across North and South India. Between April and June 2024, DET organised mega familiarisation trips, hosting over 200 travel agents from major Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities across India.

The decision to focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities in India stems from a notable increase in outbound travel from these regions, driven by rising disposable incomes and a burgeoning interest in experiential travel among Indian travellers. Recognising the potential of these emerging cities, DET has taken steps to cater to the demands of travellers seeking curated and memorable experiences.

Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, commented: “Dubai values its long-standing relationship with India, and our inbound visitation from the market has been outstanding, thanks to exceptional flight connectivity, a convenient visa process, and a strong commitment to the Indian market. This has contributed to a record-breaking performance by our tourism sector. We are dedicated to showcasing various facets of Dubai through multi-city roadshows, trade workshops and mega familiarisation trips, as well as participation in major exhibitions, to further reinforce our position as the preferred outbound destination for Indian travellers.”

In early June 2024, DET concluded its first series of roadshows in India, covering Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and nearby Tier 2 and 3 cities. These events drew nearly 600 travel trade professionals from 10 cities, including Vizag, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Varanasi and Allahabad. DET also organised trade workshops in Coimbatore, Trivandrum and Surat, and also engaging agents from neighbouring cities like Salem, Erode, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Navsari, Valsad and Bardoli. Further, a series of roadshows is scheduled for November in the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.