Dubai welcomed 4.75 million international overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2019, a two per cent increase in tourism volumes compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).
Dubai’s tourism sector saw optimistic indicators from its top volume generators and its emerging growth drivers, setting the pace for 2019 both in terms of visitation numbers and GDP contribution. In key highlights, India drew the highest visitation with 564,836 visitors, followed by a strong 411,586 tourists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), remaining the highest traffic volume generator for the GCC. The UK, meanwhile, retained its third position with 326,586 British travellers in just the first three months this year.
Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai Tourism, said: “Tourism as a sector continues to be one of the most interconnected, and consequently highly diversified pillars of Dubai’s GDP, making our economic contribution imperative for collective growth. Our Vision 2022-25, as set out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is backed by several targeted strategic programmes for delivery by 2020-22, of which over 70 per cent are well under-way already.”
“Our first quarter is an encouraging reflection of the success of our various ongoing initiatives and the efforts of all our industry partners – not just in our attraction of visitation through successful implementation of Dubai Tourism’s planned calendar of regional and global campaigns, but also through customised itinerary programming and most importantly, in-city ‘guest promise’ delivery,” he said.
Thierry Antinori, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Emirates Airline, noted that Dubai today offers world class entertainment options and that its attraction as a global city remains very strong.
“Dubai has always positioned itself for success,” he said. “Tourism continues to keep Dubai and the UAE’s economy strong and resilient. One key segment that we are tapping into is cruise tourism; Dubai has established itself as a worldwide cruise destination. Another important element for us is to focus on improving connectivity through strategic partnerships. Our partnership with flydubai has really taken off and we are jointly carrying more than 3.2 million passengers on our flights to 84 destinations.”
Dubai Tourism’s data also showed that growth from China continued at 13 per cent year-on-year, aided by Dubai’s ‘China Readiness’ strategy, as 291,662 Chinese chose to visit the city, particularly driving their New Year holiday period in February. Oman followed in fifth place, topping the charts as the fastest growing source country with a 27 per cent increase to deliver 263,182 visitors. Dubai also retained its attractiveness for Russia, welcoming 234,142 visitors, with Germany close at its heels with a five per cent growth delivering 203,651 visitors.
Rounding off the top ten feeder markets, the USA witnessed a three per cent surge with 185,864 visitors, while Pakistan, in ninth place, welcomed 137,015 travellers followed by France with 121,189 overnight guests, rising two ranks with a 17 per cent year-on-year increase.
Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said that a key component of boosting tourism to Dubai involved making it easier for tourists to get their visas on arrival. “We are still pushing for more countries to be on the list of countries that can get their visa on arrival. In addition, we have also looked closely at the traffic that goes through the airports in Dubai and, as a result of this, we saw that there was an opportunity for granting visitors a transit visa that will allow them to go outside and see the city and some of its offerings.”
“Of course, the strategy is not only focused on visa regulations, but also educating travellers about how they can make the most of their trip to Dubai and the UAE,” he added. “The Chinese market has been a very important market for us, and will only continue to grow. The Indian market has also been one of our best-performing markets. We will capitalise on the opportunities that will come from these markets.”