January 8, 2026 | 08:42 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - From January to November 2025, Dubai welcomed 17.55 million international tourists. From that total, 1.6 million tourists arrived from Northeast and Southeast Asia. Indonesia remains a major contributor of Asian tourists to Dubai.
Shahab Shayan, Regional Director of Asia Pacific at Visit Dubai, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said there are no exact final figures for 2025, but he confirmed an 8-9 percent growth in tourist numbers.
Factors Driving Indonesian Tourists to Dubai
Among Asian countries, Indonesian tourists are active visitors to Dubai, particularly for multi-generational family holidays. This aligns with post-pandemic shifts in behavior, where tourists spend more time with children or retired family members.
According to Shahab, facilities such as halal food and prayer rooms are major factors for Indonesians. This is supported by direct flights from Jakarta and Bali twice daily. With nearly 100,000 Indonesians living in Dubai, the city provides a sense of security and comfort for visitors.
Furthermore, tour operators offer services in the Indonesian language. "This is a proactive initiative on our part to ensure that operators targeting the Indonesian market have tour management that can speak Indonesian," Shahab said in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
The primary factor making Dubai a favorite destination is safety. In 2025, Dubai ranked as the third safest city globally according to Numbeo and the safest city for female solo travelers by InsureMyTrip.
Family Destination Choices
Destination choices vary for families and Gen Z travelers. Families can visit theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, Real Madrid World, Wild Wadi, and Aquaventure Waterpark, as well as desert safaris.
Tourists can also take multi-generational families to learn about traditions at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) or visit the Museum of the Future.
"Dubai is clearly a new experience, both for hotels and tourist attractions. You can always expect security and safety, and there are activities that can be done every day," he said.
Favorite Gen Z Destinations
For Gen Z, a newly opened hotel with a unique concept, Mama Shelter, is a popular destination. This includes House of Hype next to Dubai Mall, an immersive attraction featuring interactive art, digital effects, and light shows. The Dubai Museum of Art complements the Museum of the Future with architecture that appears to float on water.
The peak travel season to Dubai occurs from January to April, July, and December. Shahab added that almost 25 percent of visitors return within the same year. "This indicates something to look forward to when you visit our beautiful city, there's a lot to do, a lot to see," he said.
Read: Getting to Know 5 Emirati Traditions for Authentic Dubai Vacation
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