Hotel occupancy rate over 90% last year shows tourism target achievable
Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, Executive Director, Media Relations Division and Acting Director, Business Development, DTCM has highlighted the importance of the Private-Public partnership in all developmental spheres that would pave the way for meeting ambitious target of attracting 15 million tourists by 2015.
In an interview with Agence France Press (AFP) TV, Mr. Eyad said that DTCM and private sector is moving hand in hand to make the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai come true.
Mr. Eyad said the private and public sector developments were going in line with HH Sheikh Mohammed's vision to host 10 million tourists by 2010 and 15 million in 2015 on the soil of Dubai. Dubai is no longer a seasonal destination, he added, which was also evident from the occupancy rate that exceeds 90 % during summer months in beach hotels.
Responding to a question about the launch of new economy airline announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed, Mr. Eyad said such an airline would enhance the accessibility of Dubai to much bigger community of tourists across the globe. The affordable airline coupled with economic rates of the Hotels in Dubai would go a long way in attracting bigger number of tourists and opening up Dubai to the middles class in the world to experience the unique combination of tradition and modern concept of luxury.
Mr. Eyad said HH Sheikh Mohammed is always concerned with the welfare of the lot who have been looked after in all aspects of the life of the emirate and similarly the plan to introduce such an affordable airline is just in line with his efforts to provide equal opportunities to the less fortunate.
The Dubai Strategic Plan also revolves around the common man and lays down the future course of action to ensure better and healthier life for the people of the emirate.
Talking about the strategic Marketing Plan for DTCM, the Executive Director, Media Relations Division and Acting Director, Business Development, Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman said that DTCM will set up its offices in different countries and regions to attract more tourists.
Highlighting the importance of the tourism in the economy of Dubai, Mr. Eyad said the share of tourism in Gross Domestic Produce (GDP) was 31 % indirect and 21 % directly last year, which is expected to rise gradually with the enhanced tourists' inflow.
Here are the questions and their answers which were asked during the interview;
Q: What are the goals you want to achieve in term of number of tourists?
A: Dubai, which established itself firmly on the world tourism map through building world-class business and leisure facilities and aggressive promotional agenda, is riding a new wave of growth and expansion as number of visitors keep soaring. In line with DTCM Strategic Plan we expect some 10 million tourists landing on our land by 2010 and 15 million by the end of 2015.
Dubai's fast-expanding portfolio of hotels and hotel apartments registered a surge of 25.8 % at 50,306 units in 2007 and is expected to rise 3.4 % by 2010 at 63,317 units and jump to 48.2 % by 2016 when the total units will cross 93,867. With 82 % occupancy rate, the Hotel and Hotel apartments generated revenue of AED 13.262 billion in 2007.
Dubai's iconic international airport received over 34 million passengers in 2007 even as the fast-expanding, passenger-friendly facility - billed as the world's second most-favorite international airport - gets worldwide recognition. These facts are instrumental in multiplying the number of tourists over the years.
Q: What does tourism represents in terms of benefits?
A: Dubai's Strategic Plan aims to maintain double economic growth: achieve a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$ 108 billion by the year 2015. Besides diversification of the economy, we intend to increase the contribution of tourism in the GDP that contributed 31 % indirectly and 21% directly to the GDP last year.
Dubai has an identity of its own. It is cosmopolitan and open and receptive to people from all places. The emirate warmly welcomes people from different cultures to visit and live in Dubai, but at the same time the emirate has utmost regard for its own culture, heritage, and traditions. In fact, a large section of tourists come to Dubai to learn and explore the heritage and culture of the emirate.
Q: What about the environment?
A: With the heavy on-going infrastructural developments, the impact on the environment can not be ruled out. But conscious to the responsibility towards the environment, we went for detailed studies into the potential impact of developments on wildlife and marine life. New marine life has come up in areas that are being developed on a fast-track basis. Dubai is committed to keep any impact to a minimum by utilizing the best available technology whatever its costs.
The Ruler of Dubai issued a law for the creation of natural reserves in the emirate as part of the efforts to further increase the greenery and natural habitats. New measures have been initiated to protect the ecology and environment in the deserts. Dubai's air and water quality levels are regularly benchmarked against the threshold levels fixed by international organizations. Periodic air quality assessment surveys are conducted.
Dubai has an undefiled environment with hardly little to worry about pollution of any kind. The quality of life is very good given the preventive and precautionary measures that authorities follow all the times.
Dubai has unspoiled beaches and its sea water remains far from getting polluted, either due to human acts or through developments currently in place along its long and soon-to-be-expanded coastline through The Palm project.
The new concept of green buildings would ensure that the buildings are eco friendly. As these buildings would be naturally cooler, so the air conditioning required would be less that would add to our efforts to protect our environment from further degradation.
Q: What is the criterion to build the new hotels?
A: Working on a plan to make Dubai the number one business and tourism destination across the globe, we remain committed to the choice of the investor for setting up Hotel or Hotel apartments except that it should meet the specification of its class. The Dubai has a unique repute for its luxury hotels and hotel apartments world over for surpassing any available standard in ultimate luxury. It is the only destination having 7 star hotels in the world, which are far beyond the highest category of the luxurious hotels in the world, so the government simply facilitates the investors to maintain our repute across the globe.
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© Press Release 2008
