The findings point to a broader shift in global tourism competitiveness, with greater emphasis being placed on the quality of visitors’ experiences
Dubai’s ranking as the 10th most attractive tourism city globally and the highest-ranked city in the region in the 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index reflects the strength of the emirate’s overall visitor experience and further reinforces its position as a global destination to live and invest.
Dubai ranked 10th globally for ‘Attractiveness’ in the 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index published by Yanolja Research, developed in collaboration with Purdue University’s CHRIBA Institute in the United States and the H&T Analytics Center at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. The emirate also ranked 11th globally in the overall index.
Quality of visitors’ experiences becomes a priority
The index analyzes digital tourism conversations and content across 14 languages and covers 261 cities worldwide, ranking the top 200. It assesses cities across two main dimensions: ‘Awareness’, which measures a city’s visibility and presence in global tourism conversations, and ‘Attractiveness’, which reflects travelers’ positive sentiment and evaluations of their experiences.
Dubai ranked 14th globally for Awareness and 10th for Attractiveness, placing it 11th in the overall Tourism City Attractiveness ranking. Osaka topped the global Attractiveness ranking, followed by Kyoto, New York, Seoul, Paris, London, Rome, Okinawa, Bangkok and Dubai.
The findings point to a broader shift in global tourism competitiveness, with greater emphasis being placed on the quality of visitors’ experiences and their satisfaction with destinations, rather than visibility alone.
Quality of life strengthens Dubai’s long-term competitiveness
“Dubai’s ranking reflects its ability to translate global recognition into a positive experience for people who visit the city. From a real estate perspective, this is particularly significant because many of the qualities that make Dubai attractive to visitors, from quality of life and world-class infrastructure to hospitality and diverse experiences, also strengthen its appeal to individuals, families and investors looking for a place to live, establish themselves and invest for the long term,” said Badar Rashid Al Blooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties.
“The competitiveness of global cities is increasingly defined not only by their visibility or infrastructure, but by the quality of the experience they offer. Dubai has developed an integrated ecosystem spanning tourism, business, residential living and entertainment, creating an environment that continues to support the emirate’s attractiveness to residents and international investors,” Al Blooshi added.
Arabian Gulf Properties believes this trend further highlights the importance of quality of life and an integrated urban experience in strengthening cities’ long-term competitiveness and their ability to attract residents and investment.
Source: economymiddleeast