Dubai tops world in tourist spending, earns $29.4 billion
Dubai has ranked number one among cities with the highest spending by international tourists, earning $ 29.4 billion this year, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC) revealed.
The Emirate overtook Doha and London, where tourists spent $16.8 billion and $16.1 billion, respectively, WTTC said in its latest Cities Economic Impact report.
Sponsored by Visa, the WTTC launched its Cities Economic Impact Report (EIR) at the 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh last week. The Report shows cities remain the powerhouses of global tourism and will drive the recovery of the sector and economies worldwide.
The Cities EIR analysed 82 international city destinations. They showed that before the pandemic, major cities were popular travel destinations, accounting for almost half of all international visits, both as standalone destinations and as gateways to other tourism hotspots within countries.
Qatar’s capital Doha is forecast to see the most significant increase from 2019 to 2022 in terms of international traveller spending and direct travel and tourism contribution to the city’s GDP, with an expected increase of 21 per cent
In Europe, Warsaw is expected to witness a 14 per cent increase in 2022 versus 2019 in travel and tourism’s contribution to the city’s GDP. In the US, Orlando is projected to see a 10 per cent increase in direct Travel & Tourism contribution to the city’s GDP over that same period.
According to the Report, ten of the 82 cities analysed are projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in direct travel and tourism GDP contribution to the city economies this year.
Jeni Mundy, Head of Global Merchant Sales and Acquiring Visa, said, “Even after the colossal challenges the pandemic brought to the travel industry, the economic benefit of tourism to cities remains strong. Consumers’ willingness to adopt digital-first travel experiences will help pave the way for even more innovations in the future.”
2022 International Visitor Spending
Highest visitor spending
- Dubai $24.9bn
- Doha -$16.8bn
- London – $16.1bn
Most recovered
- Doha – +21%
- Orlando – +19%
- Antalya – +15%
