Visitors to one of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions rises 13% in 2013

German tourists account for 23% of all international visitors

Popular destination visited by global dignitaries, sports legends, and celebrities

Plays host to over 4,500 students, and 20 CSR visits during 2013

Dubai, UAE; February 3, 2014: At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace, has defined its credentials as one of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 1.87 million visitors in 2013.

Visitors to the observatory deck, located on Level 124 of Emaar Properties' global icon Burj Khalifa, increased 13 per cent in 2013, up from 1.66 million visitors the previous year. International tourists accounted for over 50 per cent of all visitors to the leisure attraction, which offers majestic views across Dubai and the Arabian Gulf.

Germans comprised the most number of international tourists at 23 per cent, followed by visitors from the UK (15 per cent); Russia and India (11 per cent each); US (10 per cent); Saudi Arabia (7 per cent); Australia, Italy, and China (5 per cent each); and France and the Netherlands (4 per cent each).

Further underlining its popularity, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, was this year crowned 'Best Tourist Attraction in the Middle East' at the Conde Nast Reader's Choice Awards.

Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director - Property Management of Emaar Properties PJSC, said: "At the Top, Burj Khalifa is a key contributor to Dubai's tourism sector and is not only a must-see attraction for tourists but also popular among UAE residents. The one-of-a-kind attraction offers unparalleled views across the city, which inspires visitors to return time-and-time again."

Accessible online to billions of visitors across the world through Google's 'Street View' collection (bit.ly/1lmgrkM), At the Top, Burj Khalifa, also proved a popular attraction for visiting dignitaries and celebrities including; Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Nene; US actor Jesse Metcalfe; Australian actress Melissa George; English actor Warwick Davis; US singer Gloria Gaynor; football stars André Schürrle (Germany), Bader Saleh (UAE); Indian cricketer Harbajan Singh; and World Wrestling Entertainment's Mick Foley and The MIZ.

The observation deck served as a popular venue for media briefings and special events, and promoted local talent through the 'Art At The Top' competition organised in partnership with The Ara Gallery, to encourage Emirati artists. Supporting health and well-being initiatives, the destination also hosted yoga sessions and reached out to the community through a number of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Last year, more than 20 visits were organised for groups from different charity institutions.

Now marking its fourth anniversary, At the Top, Burj Khalifa offers visitors the opportunity to witness the sun rise over the city of dreams on Fridays and Saturdays, until February 28, 2014. The entrance is located in The Dubai Mall's lower ground level. Tickets can be purchased online at www.atthetop.ae or directly from the Ticket Counter (subject to availability). For more information, contact 800 AT THE TOP (800 28 843 867).

About At the Top, Burj Khalifa:
Located on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building by Emaar Properties, At the Top will not only offer visitors majestic, sweeping vistas of Dubai and the surrounding region, it will also be an evocative and interactive journey through the history and evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.

A ten-part journey, the At the Top, Burj Khalifa experience starts at The Dubai Mall, where visitors can buy tickets at an elegant welcome area featuring abstract, monumental fields of LED displays, reflecting the original three-core design inspiration of Burj Khalifa.

Visitors can savour several interactive features including 'Burj Khalifa Among the Greats,' and 'Burj Around the World' - charting the evolution of modern Dubai and how Burj Khalifa dramatically alters the city skyline, respectively. They then proceed towards the 65-metre long travelator that transports them from the mall into the world of Burj Khalifa.

While the views are surely the most thrilling part of the visit, the travelator journey - entitled 'Dubai Now And Then' - sets the stage for what is to come. Visitors experience an audio visual journey through time, from the earliest days of Dubai to the present. This journey pauses at a unique viewing point called the 'From the Earth to the Sky' where visitors will get their first close-up view of the soaring structure peering through the skylight that frames the awe-inspiring height of the tower.

'From the vision to reality' is the next leg of the journey that leads visitors to the elevators. Along this area, visitors will be engaged in the making of Burj Khalifa while getting ready for their elevator ride to Level 124.

Each part of the journey is set to distinctive music composed specifically for Burj Khalifa by Katia Makdissi-Warren, a Quebec-based musician who blends Western and Arabic music.

Travelling at a speed of 10 metres per second, the double-decker elevator journey to Level 124 will take approximately 60 seconds. When the doors slide open, guests will be welcomed with floor-to-ceiling glass providing unobstructed 360 degree views. Special telescopes will provide virtual time-travel visions of the scenes beyond and below, allowing guests to see them in the close-up real-time not only the spectacular views of Dubai but also its past and future, the day and night, regardless of the weather.

Guests can stay as long as they like, walking completely around the perimeter, taking in all views, before making the return journey to the base of Burj Khalifa. The last stop of the journey is the retail boutique, where visitors can indulge in some Burj Khalifa inspired and branded souvenirs. They can shop for more merchandise at the ground floor store located near the reception.

Visitors will also be provided the opportunity to capture their trip to the top of the world for posterity with the At the Top, Burj Khalifa Green Screen photography that integrates reality with special effects.

For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Divya Khanna
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507 600
nivine.william@bm.com / divya.khanna@bm.com

© Press Release 2014