Dubai has been ranked the 10th most attractive tourism city globally and the highest-ranked city in the region in the 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index published by Yanolja Research.
The index was developed in collaboration with Purdue University’s CHRIBA Institute in the US and the H&T Analytics Center at Kyung Hee University in South Korea.
Dubai ranked 10th globally for ‘Attractiveness’ in the 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index and 11th globally in the overall index.
In the overall ranking, New York (US) tops the list with Paris (France) and Osaka (Japan) in the second and third places, respectively.
Osaka topped the global Attractiveness ranking, followed by Kyoto, New York, Seoul, Paris, London, Rome, Okinawa, Bangkok and Dubai.
This ranking reflects the strength of the emirate’s overall visitor experience and further reinforces its position as a global destination to live and invest, said Badar Rashid Al Blooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties.
He said: “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.”
Al Blooshi added: “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.”
The index analyses 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 travellers’ positive sentiment and evaluations of their experiences.
Dubai ranked 14th globally for Awareness in the index.
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. 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. -TradeArabia News Service
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