Dubai hotels 'to emerge quicker' from global turmoil

UPBEAT MESSAGE: Dubai tourism chiefs say hotels in the emirates can emerge quicker from the global downturn. (Getty Images)

Hotel operators in Dubai are better prepared for the economic downturn than counterparts in other regions, a top tourism chief has claimed.

The Dubai Department of Tourism (DTCM) said the UAE’s hotel industry could emerge quicker from the financial slump than other markets following heavy investment in recent years.

Khalid A bin Sulayem, director general of the DTCM, made the comments after reporting 95 percent occupancy rates for Dubai’s five-star beach hotels in February.

Sulayem also said the emirate’s hotel and apartment numbers increased 15.9 percent to 49,598 in 2008 from 42,807 the previous year.

“The results are highly encouraging and reflect the vibrancy and dynamism of the emirate's expanding tourism industry,” he said.

Sulayem warned a slowdown in growth is expected this year. “We see the year 2009 to be more challenging in consolidating the growth,” he said.

However, he added Dubai would still attract healthy tourism numbers amid the market downturn.

“As Dubai increases its offering of world-class hospitality, the emirate is the preferred holiday destination for tourists from around the world,” he said.

Last year, 6.99 million tourists stayed in Dubai hotels – a slight increase from the 6.95 million in 2007.

According to the DTCM, promotions and discounts of up to 40 percent have helped attract visitors to Dubai in recent years. It added tourism and hotels directly account for 19 percent of the emirate’s GDP.

To stimulate further demand, the DTCM recently carried out a three-month campaign aimed at 2,000 tour operators and meetings industry representatives to promote Dubai.

“The future is looking exciting and we are confident about gaining even more solid ground on the world tourism map,” Sulayem said.

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