By Staff Reporter
Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector continued its recovery in August, with hotel occupancy and international visitor numbers recording strong gains ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2026.
Dubai’s hotel industry recorded its strongest performance in several months in August, as the emirate prepares to host the 33rd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026.
Figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism showed hotel occupancy reaching 66% in August, a significant increase from 36% in March and equivalent to 89% of the occupancy recorded during the same month last year.
The growth came alongside an expansion in hotel capacity, with Dubai’s room inventory approaching 149,000 rooms by the end of August despite ongoing renovation work at several properties. Occupied room nights during the first eight months of 2026 reached 21.61 million.
International tourism also continued to strengthen. Dubai received approximately 869,000 overnight visitors in August, its highest monthly figure since February. The latest increase brought total international visitors for the first eight months of the year to 6.97 million.
Western Europe remained Dubai’s largest source market, accounting for 20% of arrivals between January and August. South Asia followed with 17%, the GCC contributed 16%, while the CIS and Eastern Europe accounted for 14%.
Issam Kazim, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the figures demonstrated the resilience of Dubai’s tourism industry despite challenges facing global travel.
He credited hospitality partners and the wider tourism ecosystem for helping sustain the sector’s growth.
The latest figures come as ATM 2026, running from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, brings together more than 115 co-exhibitors from Dubai’s tourism sector and over 300 international buyers representing more than 40 countries.
The UAE government earlier this year announced an AED2.5 billion support package for the tourism and hospitality sectors, while Emirates has restored 97% of its global network as international air connectivity continues to recover.
The latest tourism performance reinforces Dubai’s position as a major global destination and highlights continued confidence in the emirate’s hospitality and travel sectors.
