WTO puts Dubai on top among tourism destinations

The report places Hong Kong, France, Turkey, Belgian, China and Germany behind in terms of visitor inflow.

DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem addressing the Press Conferences said that + 30 per cent is an enormous increase. He remarked that while many destinations had receded in the background following the events of September 11 2001, and looked for situation to normalise, Dubai cruised ahead with a well thought out planned marketing strategy "An effectively formulated marketing plan was designed in co-operation with the public and private sectors in Dubai. Joint media and advertising campaigns were also carried out. The objective has been to convince the global perception that in Dubai it is business as usual by giving a correct picture of the emirate and the UAE, highlighting safety as well on-going developments in the country," said Mr. bin Sulayem.

Mr. bin Sulayem lauded the vision of His Highness General, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defense Minister and Chairman of the DTCM. "It is the far sightedness and initiative of HH Sheikh Mohammed that has earned us the top most position among the tourism promoting destinations," said Mr. bin Sulayem.

In addition to this, DTCM also participated in exhibitions and road shows both regionally as well internationally. This sent positive signals globally.

Mr. bin Sulayem noted that the WTO in its press release as well as website mentioned a +30 per cent rebound in terms of International tourist arrival: "These figures are identical to the figures we announced for the hotel establishments, which amounts to 31.15 per cent".

According to the report, out of 715 million international tourists, Dubai receives 0.7 per cent. Further, 20 per cent tourists of the 24 million tourists from the region, also frequent the emirate.

Among the countries mentioned in the report are Hong Kong 21 per cent rebound, Argentina 15 per cent rebound, Turkey 13.6 percent and France 2 per cent.