What happened
In March, during the regional conflict, Dubai hotels were only 36% full. By August they were 66% full, close to nine tenths of the level of August 2025. August brought 869,000 international visitors, the busiest month since February, and 6.97 million came between January and August. Western Europe sent the most, then South Asia, the GCC, and CIS and Eastern Europe.
What it tells you
Dubai recovers fast, because visitors trust it. They waited out the uncertain weeks and came back as soon as they could. Few destinations bounce back that quickly.
What it means for a holiday home
Short-stay guests pay by the night, so a holiday home can earn more than a year-long lease, but only when it is booked. Visitors stay close to what they come for: Downtown and the Burj Khalifa, the Marina and the beaches, the Palm. New Year, with the fireworks at the Burj, is the busiest week of the year for the whole city.
The catch
Holiday-home income moves month to month, and it carries costs a long lease does not: furniture, cleaning, a management company and a holiday-home permit. Plan for a slow month, and compare both options on the same unit before you choose.
Want to see what a holiday home earns against a long lease, in the building you like? Ask us.
Source: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, January to August 2026.