UAE Tourism is Resilient in 2014

The UAE’s tourism division is expected to be prosperous next year, buoyed by a constant increase in tourism numbers. Strong occupancy rates expected in Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the

next 12 months especially following the success of the UAE’s bid to host Expo 2020.

According to data by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Dubai fascinated over 7.9 million tourists in the first nine months of 2013, with hotels recording a 17.1 per cent increase in profit to Dh 15.33 billion compared to the same time last year.

Hotels in Dubai have posted high occupancy rates this year – over the 80 per cent mark in the high season – and that is unlikely to change in 2014, although rates could be slightly lower. Numbers of hotel in Dubai are assumed to jump in 2014, with the expected opening of Waldorf Astoria, Pullman Hotel in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, among others.

According to the 2020 vision announced in May this year, Dubai will welcome 20 million visitors per year by 2020, which will enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to the city’s financial system.Abu Dhabi, also expecting opening of hotels in 2014.Occupancy rates in the emirate could go up to 68 per cent next year, from around 64 to 65 per cent this year a report says.

According to data by Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), Abu Dhabi, the emirate greeted more than 2.2 million tourists during the first 10 months of 2013, up by 16 per cent compared to the corresponding period a year ago, resulting in Dh4.3 billion of revenues. Mohammad Al Daheri, director of strategy and policy at TCA, Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News this month that he anticipates 2.5 million hotel guests by the end of this year, and 2.8 million guests in 2014. The emirate has seen an increase in travelers from India and the Gulf this year.

TCA Abu Dhabi is planning to promote Abu Dhabi regionally and internationally through programmes that help motivate travel agents to promote the emirate, according to Al Daheri. The authority is also working on enhancing the experience and convenience of the destination, he added.

In the meantime in Sharjah, habitation is expected to reach between 65 and 70 per cent next year, which has been the case since 2012. Sharjah has not seen much additional contribute this year. Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah is expected to open in 2015.