According to the latest report from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the city's hotels and hotel apartments recorded tourist occupancy levels of more than 85 per cent during Eid al-Fitr. Many of the tourists came from other Gulf countries, with over 42,000 visitors during the Eid weekend alone.

These figures are not only encouraging but show progress towards the DTCM's Vision for Tourism 2020. With figures for the first half of the year showing visitor numbers in excess of 5.5 million from January to June 2013, the DTCM is well on track to achieve this year's targets as well as being well on the way to reaching medium and long term aims.

Dubai's Vision for Tourism

According to the new tourism vision, Dubai will be welcoming 20 million visitors a year to enjoy Dubai luxury holidays, and trebling the annual contribution to the city's economy. The Vision, approved by his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, is considered ambitious but attainable, especially with previous year's figures showing tourism figures double from five million to ten million yearly.

Sheikh Mohammed recently stated that his belief in Dubai’s ability to attract such a sizable tourist inflow is partly due to the planned implementation of multiple tourist projects designed to offer new attractions to the city's visitors. These projects include a number of theme parks, retail projects and a larger zoo, as well as a renovation programme aimed at historic areas.

World Expo 2020

It is no coincidence that the Vision for Tourism 2020 coincides with World Expo 2020. This is the year that Dubai hopes to win the bid to host the international trade fair, and an estimated 160,000 rooms would be required to accommodate potential visitors. At present the city has 599 hotels and hotel apartments but according to Helal Saeed Al Merri, Director General of DTCM, as visitor numbers increase, so will the number of hotels in the emirate.

Al Merri elaborated on the potential role played by the World Expo in boosting Dubai's tourism by stating that it would be an opportunity for Dubai to showcase itself to the world, attracting attention and helping to improve the people's understanding of Dubai as a brand.

Focal Areas

DTCM has several key areas of focus to increase the city's appeal to visitors. The Department plans to position the United Arab Emirates as the world's leading family destination, expanding on current attractions and moving from mainly regional events to becoming a global entertainment and events destination. With plans to also enhance Dubai's status as a business destination, it would appear the DTCM are taking their Tourism Vision very seriously indeed.

We are a travel operator located in the UK, catering to all UK tourists wishing to travel abroad and indulge in a relaxing break. Our Dubai luxury holidays offer the best in holiday experiences at the most competitive prices.