Tourist numbers up 4% in Dubai in Q2 - DTCM

TOURIST NUMBERS: Dubai's tourism authority said on Wednesday that visitor numbers rose four percent in the second quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2008. (Getty Images)

The number of visitors to Dubai in the second quarter rose by four percent from the previous year, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in figures released on Wednesday.

The number of visitors in the April to June period rose to 1,857,724, boosted by slashed hotel rates, promotional activity and a government-funded advertising campaign.

“The Government of Dubai has reacted quickly and appropriately with high-profile advertising campaigns, tactical promotional activity, as well as travel trade familiarisation trips, sales incentives and educational events so that Dubai remains front of mind,” said Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for DTCM.

“And investment in the product continues, contrary to some reports, at a time when slashing budgets would be the easier option.”

The recession-hit UK and Ireland market continued to account for the largest number of visitors with 196,554 visitors, or 10.6 percent of the total, during the period.

DTCM said on August 11 that the number of visitors in the first half of the year rose by five percent.

The rise in visitors has come at the expense of profit margins for Dubai hotels, who have slashed their rates by up to 50 percent in response to the slumping economy.

Retailers in the city’s world-famous shopping malls have reported sales declines of up to 40 percent, citing lower tourist spend and falling consumer confidence.

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READERS' COMMENTS

All is well
Posted by BNK on Wednesday 19 August 2009 at 17:36 UAE time


Tourist: +4%

Airport Passengers: +12.6%

Taxi rides: +17%

Voila, no impact of Global Economy at all!

Great!!!!!!!

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