18 March 2005
Dubai clocks 5.4m tourists
- By Our Correspondent
Mumbai, March 16: Dubai hotels have hosted an all-time record of 5.4 million guests and posted a revenue growth of 37 per cent in 2004. The figures were catered to, through 371 hotels and hotel apartments, recording dirham 6.2 billion revenues in the year 2004. The performance statistics were released at the ITB-2005 fair in Berlin.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khalid A bin Sulayem, director general of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing or DTCM said, “Tourism has contributed enormously in giving new directions for growth and expansion for Dubai. We have succeeded in matching the expectations and marching into the future with confidence.” A total of 54,20,724 guests checked-in at the Dubai hotel and hotel apartments in 2004 as against 49,80,228 in 2003.
With the Dubai properties logging over 15.2 million guest nights last year, the total guest nights grew by 22.2 per cent. The hotel room inventory went up by 2.3 per cent to reach 26,154 as against 25,571 in 2003.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, created in January 1997 replacing a promotion board that existed for nine years is the principal authority for planning, supervision and development of tourism.
The Dubai Conventions Bureau has also been successful in attracting huge events and subsequently more visitors to Dubai. Through the India office of the government of Dubai, DTCM plans to promote commerce and tourism and thus play an important role in boosting bilateral ties by promoting a widespread awareness of the opportunities Dubai has to offer.