Dubai recorded almost 23.7 million traveller arrivals in 2022, up 89 per cent from 2021, as the tourism and business hub continues to benefit from the easing of pandemic restrictions that has unleashed pent-up travel demand.
Of the total arrivals, 21.8 million arrived at airports, 1.6 million came through the Hatta Border Crossing between the UAE and Oman and 242,700 used seaports, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement on Thursday.
The city, famous for its ultra-luxury hotels and fine-dining, attracted more than 107,082 passengers on New Year’s Eve alone, the data showed.
These included 95,445 travellers arriving through its airports, 6,527 by Hatta Border Crossing and 5,010 by ship.
Dubai International Airport retained its position as the world’s busiest for international passengers in December — ahead of other major hubs such as London Heathrow — spurred by the rebound of Emirates airline.
It recorded 4.6 million seats in December, up 8 per cent on November, and just over one million seats more than the next busiest airport, London Heathrow, OAG said in its monthly World’s Busiest Airports report.
Dubai government safety measures, cooler weather, a growing list of tourist attractions and people’s desire to travel after two years of lockdowns are among factors making the emirate an attractive destination for visitors, Dubai Airports’ chief executive Paul Griffiths said in November.
This followed strong travel demand during the peak summer season, as international borders reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
The Gulf hub benefitted from running smooth operations, compared with some major European airports that were left reeling from delays that caused widespread disruption as demand roared back.
Dubai Airports said it estimates 64.3 million passengers travelled through Dubai International Airport in 2022, about 3 per cent more than its last annual forecast in August of 62.4 million passengers.
A strong third quarter and expectations of surging volumes in the last three months of last year led to the revised estimate.
Dubai has welcomed over 107,082 passengers on the New Year’s Eve, with 95,445 travelers arriving through Dubai Airports, 6,527 arriving via Hatta Border Crossing, and 5,010 arriving via marine ports.
This marks an 89% increase in passenger traffic in 2022 compared to the previous year, with a total of 23,672,468 incoming passengers arriving through all ports. Of these, 21,817,022 arrived through airports, 1,612,746 crossed Hatta Border Crossing, and 242,700 passengers used sea ports. In 2021, the emirate received 12,025,468 passengers through airports, 399,083 through Hatta Border Crossing, and 83,700 through marine ports.
According to a new report by the UK-based market research firm Euromonitor, Dubai Airports have established themselves as one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking second globally in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2022 for speed of service and procedure completion for passengers.
Dubai Airports were also ranked first regionally and internationally in the Airports Council International (ACI) report 2022 and maintained their leading position in the global competition indices, ranking first by the Legatum Prosperity Index in tolerance towards foreigners. The UAE passport was ranked the strongest in the world according to the Global Passport Power Rank.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, stated that the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has allowed Dubai Airports to deliver exceptional digital services and a superior travel experience to all visitors, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as a top destination for tourism, business, and lifestyle.
