Dubai welcomed 11,629,578 guests in 2014, a 5.6 per cent increase on 2013, while Irish visitor numbers increasing by 8.1 per cent to 51,047 last year, compared to 47,201 in 2013.
Ian Scott, Director UK & Ireland, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “The 2014 figures demonstrate healthy year-on-year growth with a significant increase from the Irish market and, most importantly, that the growth is sustainable, which is crucial when it comes to meeting our Vision for 2020 targets.”
Dubai’s hotels and hotel apartments recorded an increase of 7.4% in guest nights from 41.58 million in 2013 to 44.66 million in 2014, as well as an increase in the average length of stay from 3.78 days to 3.84 days. This increase is in part due to the 9.2% increase in available rooms in Dubai during this period. At the start of 2014, the emirate’s portfolio consisted of 84,534 rooms across 611 properties; by the end of the year, this had increased to 92,333 rooms across 657 properties.
In addition to the increase in rooms demanded by the forecasted rise in visitor numbers, Dubai’s Vision for 2020 targets also underline the need to broaden and further diversify Dubai’s range of accommodation offering. In the last year, new additions include a number of properties across all star ratings, including Sofitel Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Residences Dubai, Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga, Pullman Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the Sheraton Grand Dubai.
Revenues for hoteliers and hotel apartment operators also saw significant growth, with total revenues reaching AED 23.9 billion for 2014, up 9.8% from AED 21.8 billion in 2013. Room revenues increased by 12% year-on-year and F&B and other revenues increased by 6.1% year-on-year.
These figures released today by Dubai Tourism show steady year-on-year growth and significant increases across key indicators, including hotel establishment guest nights and revenues.
The figures for 2014 indicate that Dubai is continuing to maintain growth at a sustainable level, while also growing its portfolio of hotels and hotel apartments, thus taking another step closer to achieving its Tourism Vision for 2020, which aims to welcome 20 million visitors a year by 2020.
