Dubai saw fall in UK visits during the first five months of the year
The number of British tourists visiting Dubai fell by 7% in the first five months of this year compared with the same period of 2017.
Of the destination’s top 20 source markets, Dubai saw growth from only China, Russia and Germany in the five months to May 2018.
Its total international visitor numbers were down 100,000 to 7.16 million. From the UK, there were 43,000 fewer guests than at the same time last year.
However, the UK remained Dubai’s third largest market. India remains the largest.
China, which is the fourth biggest, grew by 9% to 401,000 and Russia, in fifth position, grew by 77% to 391,000.
Dubai Tourism said the emirate remains on track for projected growth in the second half of 2018. Looking at the first six months of the year, it said it welcomed a record 8.1 million tourists.
Dubai Tourism director general Helal Saeed Almarri said: "The first six months of 2018 have both generated and sustained a steady performance, supporting strong growth across our global feeder markets.
"Attracting 8.10 million visitors during the first half of 2018 stands us in good stead as we accelerate momentum towards our visionary aspiration of becoming the most visited city in the world."
Hilton announced today that it will open three new hotels in Al Habtoor, a new district in the heart of Dubai next to the Dubai Water Canal.
The hotels are the 234-room Habtoor Palace, the 356-room V Hotel Dubai Curio Collection and the 1,004 room Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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