Dubai, Feb. 13 -- Dubai has set a new record for international tourism, welcoming 18.72 million overnight visitors in 2024 - marking a 9 per cent YoY increase, according to a statement issued by the Government of Dubai Media Office.

This number surpasses the previous record of 17.15 million set in 2023,, the statement added, citing data from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

From a regional perspective, Dubai saw the highest growth in visitor numbers from North East and South East Asia (24 per cent), followed by Africa (20 per cent) and CIS and Eastern Europe (16 per cent). Western Europe remained the largest source region, with a 14 per cent increase in visitors.

The city's hotel occupancy rate rose to 78.2 per cent, up f...