Brit tourism bosses have their fingers crossed they'll see a record number of travellers flocking to the country from the UAE this summer.
But have admitted that could be blown away by the Britain's wet and windy weather.
VisitBritain, the UK's national tourism board, say last summer saw a total of 240,000 visitors jetting into the country from the UAE - up 13 per cent from the previous year. However, this year - while we sweat and sizzle in scorching temperatures of 40C plus - it's the complete opposite in soggy Great Britain.
Brit weather boffins at the Met Office declared last month the wettest June ever recorded in the country - and have admitted the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games are likely to be dampened by rain and low temperatures.
VisitBritain spokesperson Jo Leslie told 7DAYS yesterday: "It might rain, but it won't rain every day - and people don't come to Great Britain for the weather. We're in the top five visited places (on Earth) and London is still the most visited city. We're confident people will have a fantastic time despite the weather."
VisitBritain's Dubai-based UAE manager Carol Maddison hopes UAE travellers will go whatever the weather.
"A vast array of late summer deals are attracting UAE families after the period of the Games - especially with Eid due to fall on August 19 and the Emirates schools not resuming until September 9," she said, adding visitors had "ample time to enjoy a cooler, summer holiday in the UK".
More than 30 million visitors landed in the UK in 2011, with tourism worth at least Dhs655 billion ($179 billion) to the British economy each year.
© 7Days 2012
