ABU DHABI, 14 Nov, 04 (WAM) - The UAE's tourism industry, is experiencingmassive growth and Dubai is clearly at the forefront of the UAE's tourismexpansion.
Dubai with its $1.9 billion tourism industry is seen as an importantfuture contributer to GDP. Meanwhile, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO)commended Dubai for posting the world's highest growth of more than 31per cent in international arrivals in 2003, according to a report in+Khaleej Times.+ A plan for Dubai's tourism expansion, entitled Dubai Vision 2010, predictsten million people visiting Dubai as tourists by 2010, while passengerthroughput by that stage is expected to exceed 30 million. There havebeen swift developments in the hotel and infrastructure in the last twoyears.
The various factors, which contributed to this growth in tourism in theUAE, especially Dubai includes aggressive marketing and promotional initiativesand print and media exposure by the Department of Tourism and CommerceMarketing (DTCM) Dubai as well as the ever expanding partnership betweenprivate and public sectors.
Dubai was ranked as the fourth top tourist destination in the world atTop Resa 2004 (the largest tourism fair for the French travel and tourismprofessionals) last month. Conde Naste Traveller magazine, with a readershipof over two million per issue voted Dubai as the ?safest destination'from its list of top-20 tourism destination.
The other important factors which can be attributed this growth is theexpansion of local airlines, Emirates and Gulf Air as well as the newairlines, Ettihad and Air Arabia offering different packages and facilitiesfor all kind of passengers.
According to Ghaith Al Ghaith, executive vice-president for CommercialOperations, Emirates, 'We will be handling 30 million passengers in 2012,up from 10 million passengers and Emirates, plans to have a network ofmore than 120 destinations by the year 2012, up from the present 76 destinations.'The tourism industry in Dubai is also experiencing dramatic developmentsin the hotel and leisure infrastructure, which includes Dubailand, theDh 18 billion mega project which is expected to contribute immensely tothe growth of the emirate's tourism industry. Once completed it will bea major destination for family leisure and entertainment and increaserevenues for the industry.
Moreover, hotel projects such as Burj Al Arab, has been nominated asthe 'world's finest hotel', and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel as well as thetraditional Royal Mirage Hotel has also helped in the growth of tourismin Dubai.
According to sources, 'One major factor which will boost Dubai as a touristdestination is the upcoming Dubai Healthcare City, which has already attractedinvestors and authorities are working for its bright future by promotinghealthcare facilities alongwith tourism.' The booming exhibition sectoris one of the major factors in achieving the ambitious growth levels setfor the emirates tourism industry, bringing thousands of visitors peryear.
Dubai's growing popularity as international meetings, incentives, conferencesand exhibitions (MICE) destination has resulted in an increase in thenumber of tourist arrivals in the emirate. Dubai hosts an average of 85major international exhibitions every year, according to DTCM.
Dubai has achieved this position as it has made huge investments in itsinfrastructure and provides world-class facilities for tourists for thewhole year. According to an editor of a reputed magazine, 'Dubai is aphenomenon with all the ethnic diversity, economic energy and architecturalambition of early 20th century of Los Angeles, Manhattan and Chicago.'Moreover, Dubai's fast expanding tourist attractions, shopping options,pristine beaches and a fine combination of modern and traditional lifestylesexisting side by side have encouraged tourists and at present it is thefavourite destination for tourists from France in the West to Japan inthe East.
