Dubai:  The fast-growing finance sector, the tourism flywheel, and easier ownership pathways are setting up a strong 12 months for Dubai property through June 2026, according to the mid-year update released by Juwai IQI on Sunday. 

Kashif Ansari, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Juwai IQI, mentioned  that the finance hub is growing rapidly and has a significant impact on the residential sector. In the first half, more than a thousand new firms chose Dubai International Financial centre (DIFC). It now claims to be the Gulf’s largest financial hub. Hedge funds and wealth managers now number in the hundreds, and they bring with them principals, portfolio staff, operations team members, and compliance teams. 

“This is one reason immigration experts believe the United Arab Emirates will welcome nearly 10,000 high-net-worth individuals this year, more than any other country in the world.  The high-net-worth cohort tends to purchase, renovate, and hold. It is the kind of demand that supports quality stock rather than chasing the last dirham of discount.” Ansari added.

“Besides high-net-worth individuals the financial industry also brings well-paid white-collar professionals to Dubai. Enquiries from this group have surged at Juwai IQI, as they seek local homes for themselves and their families. The pace of the corporate arrivals is such that we expect homebuyer and renter enquiry growth to jump again, by double digits, over the next two quarters.

“Finance industry buyers rent near work, buy near schools, and create durable demand for prime and near-prime neighborhoods across the city. They live in Downtown Dubai, the Marina, or Palm Jumeirah. 

“What I call the ‘tourism flywheel’ is the self-reinforcing cycle of growth in Dubai’s tourism sector that begins Dubai’s world-class airports and Emirates airline. The growing visitor numbers set off a boom in high-quality services like dining, retail, entertainment, and cultural attractions. Visitors become residents, and residents become owners; that’s Dubai’s flywheel.

“So, let’s look at the growth numbers that are spinning this flywheel. First is the growth in the number of passengers passing through Dubai’s airports. From 96 million passengers this year, Dubai will receive 115 million by 2032. That’s the year the new airport opens. It will be the largest airport in the world and five times the size of the current airport, DXB. 

“The Dubai World Trade Centre, the cruise industry, and retail events are also bringing record numbers of visitors to Dubai, nearly 19 million last year.” Ansari concluded.