Dubai clocks 11% increase in hotel & apartment numbers
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Despite tourism figures* highlighting a decli
ne in UK outbound travel during Q2, Dubai continued to perform strongly as a destination, reporting an 11% increase in guest numbers during the quarter.
According to a latest report issued by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), hotel and apartment bookings in Q2 were up 170,452 from 154,180 in 2011. Figures also show a 5% increase in the average length of stay with UK visitors now choosing to stay for seven nights.
Self catering apartments saw the most dramatic surge in guest bookings, with year-on-year increases of 33% for Q2. The significant rise in the popularity of apartments can be attributed to the growing appeal of Dubai amongst the family market, as an increasing range of accommodation options, gives families even more flexibility and makes holidays more affordable.
Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for the DTCM, said: “We are confident that visitor numbers will continue to be positive throughout the year. Increasingly, families are realising that Dubai can offer them a fun and affordable family holiday with a relatively short flight time.”
Dubai currently has the largest number of new hotel rooms under development in the Middle East and Africa region. According to a recent study by STR Global, Dubai has over 11,000 rooms under development, 4,000 of which are set to open by the end of the year.
