Dubai’s popularity as a destination for UK business and leisure travelers is growing. Statistics released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have revealed that the emirate welcomed 687,000 UK hotel guests in 2012, and a further 759,000 UK hotel guests in 2013, representing a 10 per cent year-on-year increase. In 2014, Dubai welcomed 845,000 UK hotel guests to its shores, an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2013.
The tourism body forecasts that over 1 million visitors from the UK will travel to Dubai in 2016 should current growth rates persist.
Steen Jakobsen, Director of Dubai Business Events (DBE) said, “Dubai’s status as a destination for both business and leisure continues to rise in the UK, thanks to the emirate’s quality infrastructure, accessibility and superior service level. Dubai’s proximity to the UK also makes it a convenient destination for visitors seeking warm weather and world-class experiences, a point underscored by the UK being the number one European source market for visitors to Dubai, and third internationally after Saudi Arabia and India.”
“The UK market is an important one for Dubai when it comes to targeting decision-makers behind international business events and as such exhibiting at The Meetings Show helps us reach a key market, while also introducing Dubai as a global business events hub to European and UK audiences,” Jakobsen added.
