International arrivals to the UAE increased healthily in 2012, reaching an estimated 11 million tourists, delegates heard today on the latest WTM Vision Conference – Dubai held at Arabian Travel Market.
Overall performance of inbound trips to the center East region were down five per cent last year mainly because of the decline of arrivals to these countries hit by the Arab Spring, which occurred in 2011 effecting countries together with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Syria.
However the UAE witnessed a considerable increase with an estimated 11 million tourist arrivals visiting the Emirates; over eight million visiting Dubai, two million to Abu Dhabi and the remaining to the alternative five emirates.
All states continuing to expose the right hotel occupancy rates due their strong leisure appeal and robust MICE sector.
Of the 11 million arrivals to the UAE, neighbouring country Saudi Arabia made up the highest source marketplace for inbound tourism, with 1,500,000 tourists coming from Saudi Arabia alone.
Visitor numbers from the most important Arab state to the UAE are predicated to double over the subsequent five years to greater than 3,000,000 arrivals.
Speaking on the WTM Vision Conference – Dubai, Euromonitor International senior research analyst Sana Toukan explained that the UAE offers a culturally similar but more relaxed tourist destination for Saudis and is especially popular amongst the growing young population.
Toukan explained: “The UAE promotes itself as a luxury shoppers’ paradise, with elaborate destination malls, shopping festivals, no sales tax and lower prices than in lots of surrounding countries.
“Luxury brands are a big focus for incoming tourists from everywhere in the globe.”
Another Middle Eastern country to prosper for the reason that 2011 Arab Spring was Egypt, recording a robust 18 per cent growth in 2012, although arrival numbers are still faraway from the 14 million recorded in 2010.
Also, as highlighted on the earth Travel Market 2012 Industry Report, Libya has vast tourism potential with its long Mediterranean coast and Roman antiquities, nevertheless it has yet to realize much progress for the reason that revolution finished in 2011.
Reed Travel Exhibitions director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “It is superb to listen to that recovery was seen in quite a few Middle Eastern and North African countries equivalent to the UAE, Egypt and Tunisia.
“However the risk still remains with the unrest and on-going violence in Syria which might affect neighbouring countries.
“The content delegates have heard today confirms the growing importance of the center Eastern market, particularly the UAE, taking into account the pressures and conflicts that countries have witnessed over the past few years.
“I’m sure the research revealed to delegates at WTM Vision Conference – Dubai will enable them to get a head start in their competitors in maximising their future potential.”