Dubai’s tourism boom continues as more Kiwis and Aussies head to the city

Dubai is off to a strong start in 2025, welcoming 7.15 million international overnight visitors between January and April. This marks a seven percent increase on the same period in 2024 and builds on last year’s record-setting total of 18.72 million arrivals.

Australasian tourism is helping fuel this growth. More than 111,000 travellers from New Zealand and Australia visited Dubai during the first four months of the year, a 14 percent year-on-year increase that reflects the city’s growing appeal for long-haul holidaymakers.

The figures were released during the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s (DET) first City Briefing of the year. The department also revealed that, as of April 2025, the city’s hotel sector had grown to 153,534 available rooms, with all key performance indicators showing strong growth.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, praised the city’s partners and industry leaders for their role in Dubai’s continued success.

“Building on yet another record-breaking performance in 2024, the exceptional results achieved by the industry so far in 2025 is a testament to the resilience and steadfast support of our stakeholders and partners,” he said.

“From hospitality and aviation to retail and gastronomy, every sector has played a critical role in solidifying Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader.”

Culinary capital on the rise

Dubai’s food and dining scene has become a major drawcard for international visitors. The DET’s Gastronomy Industry Report revealed around 1200 new restaurant licences were issued in 2024 alone. The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025 now features 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines, including the city’s first MICHELIN three-starred establishments: FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio.

The guide also includes three two-starred restaurants, 14 one-starred venues, 22 Bib Gourmand picks and three restaurants awarded a MICHELIN Green Star for sustainability.

Campaigns drive global interest

The DET has continued to invest in large-scale marketing efforts to promote Dubai as a leading destination. Its latest global campaign, Dubai. That’s How You Summer, positions the city as the perfect place to relax and explore, with a focus on lifestyle, leisure and personalised experiences.

Another campaign, Find Your Story, launched earlier this year and stars Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi. The film highlights the excitement of exploring Dubai’s natural and urban landscapes, even during a short stopover.

The campaigns align with Dubai’s D33 Agenda, which outlines ambitious plans to diversify and double the city’s economy over the next 10 years.

Kazim said the focus for the remainder of 2025 will be on maintaining momentum through strong public and private sector collaboration, diversified market strategies and continued investment in global outreach.

With tourism infrastructure expanding, global recognition for its food scene and bold marketing campaigns drawing new visitors, Dubai continues to grow its reputation as a destination of choice for New Zealand and Australian travellers.