Total Hotel Guests In Dubai Touch Nearly Six Million During First Nine Months Of 2010 According To DTCM Report

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed the progress of Dubai’s tourism sector during the first nine months of 2010. Statistics indicate that the number of hotel guests in Dubai, between January and September 2010, touched approximately six million (5,991,660 guests), reflecting a 6 per cent increase compared to the 5,640,703 guests during the corresponding period in 2009.

Meanwhile, DTCM has also launched an international campaign to promote the “Definitely Dubai” initiative, aiming to market the Emirate’s tourist attractions across the world in collaboration with major international tourism companies.

This follows a joint meeting between representatives of various hotels and tourism companies which was presided over by DTCM Director General Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, at The Atlantis The Palm hotel last week in the presence of a number of DTCM managers and executives, and other representatives of the two groups and government entities.

Bin Sulayem said that the latest increase in tourism figures follows the 9 per cent increase achieved during the first half of this year. He added that such an increase was possible due to the extensive marketing efforts of DTCM, and the diverse promotional programs it introduces across the global tourism market, in addition to the Department’s cooperation with private sector organizations locally and internationally.

Further, Bin Sulayem expressed his gratitude to the private sector representatives for their sincere efforts and constant cooperation with DTCM to achieve a common goal of boosting Dubai’s tourism sector.

Statistics also indicate that the number of tourist reservations for the first three quarters of 2010 reached 18,731,478 compared to 16,378,422 during the same period of 2009, marking a 14 per cent increase.

Also, the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments increased during the first three quarters of 2010 by 16 per cent; from 59,372 rooms and hotel apartments in the first three quarters of last year to 68,654 this year. Hotel occupancy rates were steady for the first nine months of this year and were almost identical to the occupancy rates achieved during the same period last year.

The number of hotel facilities currently active in Dubai reached 565 compared to 533 in the same period last year, marking a 6 per cent increase.

On the other hand, hotel revenues amounted to AED 9,238,795,000 compared to AED 8,705,775,000 realized during the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 6 per cent.

The occupancy rate for hotel apartments increased by 2 per cent during the first nine months of 2010, reaching 66 per cent compared to 64 per cent for the same period in 2009.

During the joint meeting, DTCM also demonstrated international tourism market trends and their affect on the Emirate’s tourism sector, especially with regard to the operation of direct flights between Dubai and other countries across the world.

Further, the audience was introduced to the “Kate” program, launched by the Community Development Authority which aims to educate, guide, qualify and employ people with special needs. The program was introduced by Ms. Amal Al Qasem, senior volunteer development executive with the Authority.

The meeting concluded with Bin Sulayem honouring DTCM’s partners from both the private and public sectors who significantly contributed to the success achieved by Dubai’s tourism industry this year.
 

Premium Complimentary Shuttle Service Offered To Dubai Festival City Guests

Dubai Festival City, flagship waterfront development by Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has introduced complimentary premium shuttle facility servicing seven key locations across the award-winning property.

The Dubai Festival City shuttle will ferry guests from and to Al Badia Golf Club, Al Areesh Club, Ace Hardware, Marsa Plaza, Marsa Automotive Park, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, and Dubai Gold Marketplace – Festival Centre between 10am to midnight everyday. Each location will be serviced at regular intervals of 15 minutes approximately and Dubai Festival City has employed three Dodge Durango vehicles for the job.

Expected to service 4 guests at a time along with chilled refreshments over the prestigious retail, residential, automotive, hospitality and golfing facilities, this service aims to decrease traffic in the 30 kms of internal road network within Dubai Festival City – leading to lower levels of air and noise pollution within the development as well.

Tom Miles, Director of Shopping Centres, AFGRE said: “Dubai Festival City is a thriving property sprawling across 1300 acres with multiple hot spots that draw in close to 25,000 visitors daily. Introducing the shuttle service is our way of enhancing our guests and visitors their Dubai Festival City experience.”