According to a statement by Dubai government’s media office, the Dubai Mall was the most visited place on earth in 2023. With 105 million visitors over the last year, the shopping destination’s numbers were up 19% from 2022, and with 20 million visitors over the first two months of 2024, it doesn’t seem like its success is about to diminish anytime soon.
“These numbers reflect Dubai Mall’s impressive status and mirrors the forward-thinking leadership and strong economy of Dubai. Our mall embodies the city’s vibrant spirit and dedication to excellence, turning the leadership’s vision into a reality. Being an integral part of Dubai’s economic fabric, we play a crucial role in the city’s success and innovation. This wide range of nationalities not only underscored the mall’s worldwide charm but also reflected the cosmopolitan culture of Dubai itself,” said Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, Dubai Mall developers.
Other than the usual foot traffic, several events organised in 2023 managed to attract even more shoppers. The Dubai Shopping Festival, the Dubai Food Festival and the 3 Day Super Sale were just some of the events that managed to lure in the most visitors.
Dubai Mall is located close to the Burj Khalifa and opened in 2008, spanning over 1.2 million square metres. It not only includes over 1,200 retail outlets and 200 restaurants, but also several entertainment options such as the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, a karting track, a virtual reality park, a cinema and an ice rink.
More than just a very big shopping centre, Dubai Mall puts itself in the market as a luxury destination. The mall includes two major department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, and a multitude of luxury shops. Its ‘Retail Relation’ programme partnered with luxury brands such as Cartier, Carolina Herrera and Dior to create immersive shopping experiences in 2023. Moreover, the debut of Louis Vuitton’s Pharrell Williams collection managed to put Dubai Mall even more on the map as a luxury shopping destination.
