Dubai hotels record 5% increase in guest numbers in first half of 2009

The performance tempo continued with five-star beach hotels posting an average occupancy of 90% in the first week of August 2009.

In the month of July 2009, the total number of GCC guests who stayed in five, four and three star hotels in Dubai was 64,102, an increase of 35% compared with the same period last year. This substantial increase is largely due to the DTCM summer promotion programmes, including Kids Go Free launched by DTCM in July.

Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General, said:

"The performance of our ambitious and globally-competitive hospitality industry and the growth trends witnessed in various segments have helped Dubai maintain its solid standing on the world tourism map in one of the most-challenging business environments that the global tourism industry is grappling with."

"The DTCM's promotions and marketing initiatives, taken up in cooperation with the hoteliers and tourism industry professionals, contributed enormously in achieving the high growth and keeping the tourism economy robust."

Mr., bin Sulayem said: "In Dubai, we remain positive and pro-active at an economically-challenging time in the world history. We are moving forward with confidence and positive approach as Dubai gains solid grounds as a year-round business and leisure destination."

Presently, Dubai has a total of 58147 hotel rooms and flats -40,943 hotel rooms and 17204 hotel apartment flats-, a 17% increase over the first half of last year.

Long before the global financial crisis surfaced with intensity, the department created a task force with experts and representatives of Dubai tourism industry players, to review the market trends and take appropriate measures.

Based on the inputs provided by the industry players and experts, the department took measures which reflected in hotel occupancies getting a boost in the first half of 2009.

Besides enhancing its promotion and marketing in tourism source markets through its network of 18 Overseas Representative offices and encouraging more co-participants in travel exhibitions and road shows, the department conducted several initiatives to boost hotel occupancies and facilitate more visitors enjoy Dubai's impressive tourism product offerings.

The department, in cooperation with the Emirates Airlines, DMCs and hotels, conducted 'Keep discovering Dubai' familiarization programme for about 2000 tour operators, travel agents and Media representatives from about 60 countries over a three month period.

DTCM launched Kids Go Free promotion from July 1 to September 20 as part of its summer season promotions to boost the number of visitors to the emirate. More than 75 hotels and hotel apartments are participating in the promotion.

The department also carried out attractive media campaigns in various markets, especially in Dubai's traditionally strong source markets of the UK, Germany, India, Russia, China, Japan and GCC states.