Dubai’s hospitality sector is experiencing a record-breaking expansion, with new hotel openings set to drive significant job creation across the city. As Dubai welcomed 18.7 million overnight visitors in 2024 – a 9.1 per cent increase from the previous year – the demand for hotel accommodations has surged, leading to an unprecedented rise in hospitality employment opportunities, according to a recent report by Cavendish Maxwell.
Dubai is set to see the addition of 4,619 new hotel rooms in 2025 across 20 properties, following the 4,255 rooms added in 2024. With each new hotel requiring a strong workforce this expansion is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities in the hospitality sector.
According to industry estimates, for every new luxury hotel opening, at least 250 to 500 direct jobs are created, ranging from hotel management and guest services to food and beverage roles, housekeeping, and security.
Dubai hospitality job surge
The surge in luxury and upper-upscale openings, comprising 69 per cent of 2025’s new hotel supply, will lead to increased demand for skilled hospitality professionals, particularly in high-end service roles.
“Dubai’s hospitality sector continues its upward trajectory, setting new benchmarks in tourism growth and hotel performance. With a record 18.72 million visitors in 2024 and a steady pipeline of luxury and upper-upscale developments, the market is evolving to meet increasing global demand. However, as supply expands – particularly in the luxury segment -occupancy and ADR growth may face short-term pressures,” said Gergely Balint, Associate Partner at Cavendish Maxwell.
The majority of new jobs will stem from high-end hotel developments, with the luxury segment accounting for 36 per cent of 2025’s planned openings. Properties like the Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai (259 rooms), Jumeirah Mars Al Arab (387 rooms), and Anantara Seven City JLT (78 rooms) are among those expected to bring in high numbers of hospitality professionals.
The city’s growing prominence as a global hospitality hub has also led to an influx of international hotel brands, further boosting job prospects. Looking ahead to 2026, luxury hospitality will continue to dominate, with 11 new properties adding approximately 3,141 rooms, including The Dorchester Collection Ela, Kempinski Floating Sea Palace Resort, and Six Senses Dubai The Palm.
Indirect employment growth and economic impact
Beyond direct hotel employment, the hospitality boom will also create substantial indirect job opportunities in Dubai’s tourism ecosystem. Increased demand for transportation, retail, event management, and F&B services will spur hiring across multiple sectors. The ripple effect will be particularly noticeable in Dubai’s restaurant industry, which is already experiencing growth, driven in part by increased tourism and hotel stays.
“Strategic positioning, competitive pricing, and sustained demand from key source markets will be crucial in maintaining Dubai’s status as a premier hospitality hub,” Balint added.
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