Dubai tourist numbers down 44% year-on-year in Jan-Aug 2026

Dubai saw a significant 44% decrease in international tourist numbers from January to August 2026, according to the city's economy and tourism department. The data, released for the first time since February, revealed that the city welcomed 6.97 million tourists in the same period last year, with August registering the highest monthly figure since February at 869,000 visitors.

The decline in tourist arrivals, totaling nearly 5.6 million people, represents a drop of over 44%. This comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and flight cancellations following the escalation in February, leading to several hotels in Dubai closing for renovations. Despite aiming to become a year-round tourist destination and one of the world's top three tourism hubs, Dubai experienced a substantial decline in international visitors in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, when the city recorded a record 19.6 million international tourists.