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Dubai Hotels Continue to Draw Tourists

DUBAI - Dubai’s Hotels played host to a record 6,996,449 guests in 2008 and posting an all-time high revenue of Dh 15.25 billion as the emirate retained the title of the hub of business and leisure tourism in the region.

The figures obtained from Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) confirmed that the number of Dubai’s inbound and outbound travellers exceeded 6.6 million during the last quarter of 2008.

Domestic tourists and those coming from countries in the Gulf, who don’t need visas for travel explain the difference, the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said.

The 2008 figures marked an increase over the 2007 record of 6,951,798 visitors billeted in Dubai hotels and resorts. In 2004, Dubai hotels received 5.4 million guests and 6.16 million in 2005.

Khalid A. bin Sulayem, director general of DTCM, said the results are highly encouraging and reflect the vibrancy and dynamism of the Emirate and its expanding tourism industry. “The performance reflects the efforts and ability of Dubai in confidently navigating through one of the most difficult journeys that the global tourism industry is facing,” he said.

“In 2007, Dh13.26 billion in revenue was recorded, at a 22.4 per cent growth. Last year’s figures represent a 15 per cent increase to that. The nearly seven million guests in 2008 also brought a double-digit increase in rooms inventory,” he said.

He said that Dubai Hotel and Hotel Apartment Performance Summary 2008 showed a 15.9 per cent increase in the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments, which stood at 49,598. “In 2007, the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments were only 42,807 after a 4.8 per cent growth over the previous year. Hotels contributed to 32 per cent of Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008,” he added.

He stressed that Dubai government is continuing to take steps to manage this key economic domain in times of global economic meltdown. One of these initiatives launched by DTCM is ‘Keep Discovering Dubai’, aimed at boosting hotel occupancies.

He also said that as of last week of February, the average occupancy of five-star beach hotels reached 95 per cent with the average room rate for five-star hotels being Dh 1239. “We conducted promotional campaigns with visitors getting up to 40 per cent discount in hotel room rates among other benefits.”

The latest DTCM initiative includes a three-month familiarisation programme for over 2,000 tour operators, MICE agents and media representatives to visit Dubai between March and May. This is in cooperation with Emirates Airlines, hotels and MICE.

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