Dubai: A Premier Destination for Indian Travellers
Dubai’s Growing Appeal to Indian Tourists
As Dubai continues to solidify its status as a premier destination for Indian travellers, the city is making waves at SATTE 2025, showcasing its multicultural offerings, iconic landmarks, diverse accommodations, and seamless connectivity. In 2024, Dubai welcomed an impressive 3.14 million overnight visitors from the wider South Asia region, contributing significantly to the overall 18.72 million international overnight visitors. This marks a remarkable 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring Dubai’s growing allure among Indian tourists.
Strengthening Ties with Indian Travel Stakeholders
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism is leading the charge at SATTE, reinforcing relationships with key Indian travel industry stakeholders, including airlines, destination management companies, and hotels. This collaboration is vital for solidifying Dubai’s commitment to India as a key partner in business and tourism. The event serves as a platform to showcase Dubai’s diverse offerings, catering to a wide range of Indian travellers—from luxury seekers to families and business professionals.
Enhanced Visa Accessibility for Indian Nationals
A recent enhancement to the UAE’s visa-on-arrival programme has further boosted Dubai’s attractiveness to Indian travellers. As of February 13, 2025, Indian citizens holding ordinary passports and valid visas, residence permits, or Green Cards from six additional countries—Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea—can now enjoy visa-on-arrival privileges at all UAE entry points. This expansion complements existing eligibility for those holding visas or permits from the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States, making travel to Dubai even more accessible.
Dubai’s Commitment to Luxury and Lifestyle
Bader Ali Habib, Director of Proximity Markets at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, emphasized the importance of the long-standing relationship between Dubai and India. He noted that 2024 has been a record year for Dubai’s tourism sector, with the city advancing its Economic Agenda, D33. This agenda aims to solidify Dubai’s status as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment, while also reinforcing its position as a premium lifestyle destination. The city is committed to offering exclusive fashion collaborations and world-class experiences that resonate with discerning Indian travellers.
Recognition as a Global Retail and Lifestyle Hub
Dubai’s reputation as a global retail and lifestyle haven was recently solidified when it was recognized as the world’s leading shopping destination and exhibition destination at the 31st annual World Travel Awards in November 2024. The city has also strengthened its ties with India’s fashion and design community through a collaboration with renowned Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. This partnership resulted in an exclusive capsule collection inspired by Dubai’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing five bespoke pieces that reflect the city’s vibrant culture and forward-thinking design.
Safety and Hospitality: Dubai’s Key Attributes
Ranked among the top five safest cities in the world with a safety index of 83.7, according to Numbeo’s mid-2024 findings, Dubai is increasingly seen as a beloved second home for many Indians. The city is enhancing its reputation as a global hub for luxury hospitality and gourmet experiences. By the end of December 2024, Dubai’s hotel inventory comprised 154,016 rooms across 832 establishments, a notable increase from the previous year. Upcoming high-end properties, such as Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, and Ciel, Vignette Collection by IHG, are set to elevate the city’s allure for discerning travellers.
Culinary Excellence: The MICHELIN Guide Dubai
Dubai’s luxury dining scene is thriving, as evidenced by the third edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai unveiled in July 2024. This edition features 106 restaurants across 35 cuisines, marking an 18% increase from 2023. Notably, fine-dining establishments like Tresind Studio, led by Chef Himanshu Saini, earned two Michelin stars and secured the #2 spot in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants MENA 2025 rankings. This culinary success underscores the deep cultural and culinary connections between Dubai and India.
A Destination for Every Traveller
Dubai’s diverse blend of luxury and culture enables it to cater to a broad spectrum of Indian travellers. Whether one is seeking luxury shopping experiences, cultural immersion, family-friendly attractions, or high-end business events, Dubai offers something for everyone. This multifaceted appeal further reinforces its status as a premier destination for those in search of a truly unique experience.
About the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is dedicated to making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub, and tourism destination. Its mission is to support the government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for the global economy and tourism, while enhancing the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness. The DET is driving efforts to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment, and accelerate productivity growth. It oversees the planning, supervision, development, and marketing of Dubai’s business and tourism sectors, ensuring that the emirate remains a top choice for visitors and investors alike.
