UAE to witness increased influx of foreign tourists this year

UAE is likely to witness an increase in foreign tourists, likely to touch 9million this year, according to latest industry forecast issued by the Business Monitor International (BMI), the international industry consultant.

This indicates a healthy 9percent growth over the 8.2mn tourist arrival numbers into UAE last year. Further echoing this sentiment, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the leading travel exhibitions in the Middle East, is witnessing strong online visitor interest, prior to this year’s event, wherein, the number of pre-registered visitors already grew by 132percent from the same time last year.

Given, the unrest in Egypt and North Africa last year, the UAE experienced increase in tourism, which further boosted its status as safe haven in the region.

Further, the Emirates and Etihad have opened up at least ten more destinations over the past year, ATM serves as the ideal platform for tourism and travel industry, said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The guest numbers at Dubai hotels grew 10percent year-on-year, touching 4.6mn during first half of last year, as growing number of visitors from Middle East travelled to UAE.

Dubai was the sole tourist destination in the region, despite huge increase in available rooms. The UAE is also leading the region in development projects, with 21,238 rooms under development, with tourism initiatives underway across all emirates in the UAE.

The ATM show, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, it has become one of the largest shows of its kind in the region, and among the biggest in the world.

Posted on 9/2/2012

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