Dubai's tourism industry surged ahead with hotel visitors growing six per cent in the first nine months of the year, to 5.9 million.
That compares with 5.6m guests during the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing's (DTCM).
Dubai is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the Middle East and heavily promoted itself during the global downturn with promotions and package deals from airlines and hotels. Its latest marketing campaign, "Definitely Dubai" includes a website where prospective visitors are briefed on the emirate's activities, including bowling, climbing, cycling and falconry. The emirate's efforts are being carried out in collaboration with major international tourism companies, it said.
Have you entered our online quiz yet - you might win brunch.
As a result of the increase in guests, hotel revenues grew six per cent to Dh9.23bn, compared to Dh8.70bn during the same period last year.
In addition, the agency said occupancy rates for hotel apartments increased by 2 per cent during the first nine months of the year, reaching 66 per cent compared to 64 per cent for the same period last year.
The January to September statistics growth were slightly lower than figures released by the tourism agency for the first six months of the year.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
