Dubai: City’s biggest international tourist spenders splashes out $29.42 Billion

Spending by tourists in Dubai could hit $43 Billion a year by 2033, says WTTC

As post-pandemic tourism businesses recover and travel destinations see a return to accessing resources, Dubai, the city of manicured luxury, experienced the highest city expenditure by foreign travellers last year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

According to the WTTC, international visitors spent $29.4 billion in Dubai in 2022, and the city is expected to maintain its strong position over the next 10 years.

Money Money in the house

1. Dubai – $29.42 Billion

2. Doha – $16.79 Billion (Doha placed second on the list, largely down to a strong performance at the FIFA 2022 World Cup)

3. London – $16.07 Billion

4. Macau – $15.58 Billion

5. Amsterdam – $13.59 Billion

6. Istanbul – $13.13 Billion

7. Barcelona – $12.73 Billion

8. New York – $12.45 Billion

9. Singapore – $10.97 Billion

10. Paris – $9.76 Billion

The Emergence of Asian Destinations

“Major cities such as London, Paris and New York will remain global powerhouses, but over the next few years Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau will be moving up the list of top city destinations.

“Tourists will always have favourite cities that they will return to, but as other countries prioritise travel and tourism, we are going to see new and emerging destinations challenging the traditional favourites.”

• Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council