In 2016, an increase in visitors from the GCC - India, Pakistan, China, Britain and Russia - stimulated a rise of 5% to 14.9 million in Dubai tourism despite a period of unanticipated macro-economic disruptions to its largest source markets, unfavorable international factors and guarded global consumer sentiments. This growth in 2016 is followed by a 4 year CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 8%, twice the global travel industry growth and is expected to hit a target of 20 million visitors by 2020, thus achieving Dubai's 2020 goals.
Dubai has established itself as the fourth most visited city in the world, delivering top value to the domestic economy with its ruling number 1 position in terms of per tourist spend. This is owed to Dubai's forceful marketing strategies and varied initiatives coupled with new hotels, excursions and attractions, including Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG and City Walk.
Dubai Tourism's multi visitation strategy and its quick ability to adapt and respond in all markets; balance out its risk exposure to specify geographies, diversify and move its investment to other profitable markets and focus niche segments within their stronghold markets has transformed it as an industry across government, private and public sector, multiplying its destination appeal and competitiveness.
HIGHLIGHTS OF DUBAI TOURISM 2016
With a 12% increase, India leads the list of traffic generators to Dubai in 2016 with nearly 1.8 million overnight tourists; this is expected from India in 2017 as well on the strength of stable bilateral ties being formed between the two countries.
Pakistan being among the top 10 markets, delivered 607,000 tourists at 18% growth and a record 20% hike helped cross the half a million mark and 540,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai.
Russian visitors recorded a 14% growth in overnight traffic. Add to this, the new visas on arrival rule and this figure is sure to rise in 2017.
The GCC still remains the pioneer volume generator for tourism to Dubai with a total 3.4 million visitors, 5% more than 2015. Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia was number one with over 1.6 million visitors, followed by Oman crossing the 1 million mark. Visitors from Kuwait and Qatar registered an annual 2% and 9% growth respectively.
Western Europe with an increased 4% inflow accounted for 21%, with more than 3.1 million tourists visiting Dubai. The UK with 1.25 million visitors retained its position as third in Dubai's market; while Germany remained among top 10 with 460,000 visitors.
Even in the face of extreme regional challenges, Middle East and North Africa accounted for 1.6 million visitors. Dubai reported a total of 1.36 million travelers from the North and Southeast Asian markets. The Philippines accounted of 390,000 visitors. With 607,000 visitors from the US and 176,000 visitors from Canada, the Americans collectively accounted for nearly one million visitors. Russia, CIS and Central European markets accounted 5% of the overall tourism to Dubai in 2016.
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