Record performance for Dubai hotels during December and New Year

Managers reported that the hotel sector in Dubai recorded record performance during the month of December, coinciding with the holiday season and New Year celebrations, driven by strong demand from leisure tourism, which was reflected in high occupancy rates and remarkable growth in revenues.

They confirmed to Emirates Today that Dubai’s hotels operated during peak periods, especially in the last week of December, at their maximum operating capacity, in light of the large demand from visitors coming from all over the world, benefiting from the diversity of the tourism product offered by the emirate, and its advanced infrastructure, unique landmarks, and integrated entertainment and cultural experiences.

Standard performance

In detail, the Regional Director of the Hyatt Hotel Group in Dubai and the General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Fathi Khojali, said that “the group’s hotels recorded record performance during December and the New Year’s Eve.” He added: “In the last week of the month, our hotels operated at full operational capacity, with occupancy rates exceeding 95%, which is a clear indication of the strength of demand that Dubai witnessed during this period.”

Khojali explained that the revenue index achieved growth of more than 30% compared to December 2024, pointing out that four of the group’s hotels recorded the highest revenues since their opening, in a performance he described as “historic,” noting that the strong performance of the hotel market in the emirate reflects Dubai’s advanced position on the global tourism map and as an attractive destination that attracts millions of tourists around the world every year.

He pointed out that “Dubai continues to consolidate its position as a prominent global destination that witnesses great demand throughout the year, and this momentum increases significantly during the holiday season and New Year’s celebrations, with the diversity of events, the multiplicity of entertainment and cultural options, and the diverse tourism product that meets the requirements of different segments of visitors.”

Khojali continued: “Hotel occupancy rates are still strong at the beginning of the new year, not only as a result of leisure tourism, but also as a result of the growing demand from business tourism, as Dubai will host, during the coming period, a number of international conferences and exhibitions, which will enhance the continuation of tourism momentum, after the end of the holiday season,” noting that the index of future bookings is at high levels.

Returns

For his part, the General Manager of the Tamani Marina Hotel, Walid Al-Awa, said: “We recorded the best performance in terms of revenues during December, driven by very strong occupancy rates,” pointing out that “the strong performance reflects the great confidence that visitors place in Dubai as an integrated tourist destination.”

He added: “Dubai is a destination that is witnessing strong and continuous demand, which is clearly evident in the high levels of bookings from incoming visitors.”

Al-Awa stressed that “the diversity of markets exporting tourists to Dubai contributed to enhancing demand levels, as hotels received visitors from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in addition to a noticeable growth in family tourism, which reflected positively on the overall performance of the sector,” pointing out that “the hotel market organized many products, events, and activities during the New Year’s occasion.”

He also pointed out that the diversity of hotel categories in Dubai, from luxury to medium and economic, in addition to hotel apartments, has allowed the emirate to accommodate different segments of visitors and enhance its ability to maintain high occupancy rates.

He stated that, “As we enter the new year, the strong performance continues, supported by an agenda full of events, activities and exhibitions, and continued demand from major markets, in addition to a strong return to business tourism, which enhances optimism about continuing to record strong results during the coming months.” He stressed, “This momentum indicates that Dubai is still one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world, as the emirate continues to consolidate its position as a global center for tourism and hospitality.”

Full occupancy

In addition, the CEO of Carlton Hotels, Hosni Abdel Hadi, confirmed that “December 2025 was a record,” explaining that “hotels and restaurants witnessed 100% full occupancy during peak periods in December, with performance levels that exceeded those of the previous year.”

He added: “We witnessed strong demand from family tourism from various markets in conjunction with the holiday season, which strengthened all operational indicators.”

Abdul Hadi explained that all indicators recorded strong growth, whether in terms of revenues, occupancy rates, or average prices, stressing that the tourism momentum in Dubai is “continuous and continuous,” supported by continued investments in the tourism sector, the development of landmarks and services, and the organization of major events throughout the year.

He stated that this strong performance reflects the size of Dubai’s tourism attractiveness, which has succeeded in providing an integrated model of a global destination that combines beach tourism, family entertainment, shopping, culture, and culinary arts, in addition to business tourism, exhibitions, and conferences. Unique attractions, such as New Year’s events, entertainment shows, and seasonal festivals, also contribute to attracting increasing numbers of tourists every year.

A global destination

In a related context, Munther Darwish, CEO of Palazzo Versace Dubai Hotel and founder of Palazzo Hospitality, said, “The hotel has recorded strong performance over the past months, driven by continued demand for Dubai as a global tourist destination,” noting that “the pace of demand during the month of December reached record levels.”

Darwish added: “We recorded full occupancy rates of 100% during the last week of December until January 4, a clear indication of the strength of demand during the holiday season and New Year’s celebrations.” He stated that about 80% of the hotel’s guests were international tourists, which reflects Dubai’s global status and its ability to attract visitors from various international markets.

He pointed out that average room prices recorded record numbers during this period, in parallel with the high demand, stressing that the positive performance was not limited to accommodation only, but also included the restaurant sector, which witnessed strong demand and a remarkable turnout from guests and visitors alike.

Darwish stressed that this performance reflects Dubai’s success in consolidating its position as a preferred destination for holidays and celebrations, thanks to the diversity of its tourism experiences and the quality of its hotel services. He expects the positive momentum to continue during the coming period, supported primarily by continued demand from international tourism.