GCC visitor numbers increase from key...

Chinese overnight visitors to Dubai up by 309% YOY

GCC visitor numbers from key source markets, including the UK and China, are continuing to rise, according to a report by Al Rais Travel.

Insights from the markets Al Rais serves suggest that Dubai’s reputation as a safe and secure destination has resulted in an uptick for the UAE capital in particular from these key source markets.

DON'T MISS NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE'S BLACK FRIDAY SALE
* US$200 ONBOARD CREDIT + 50% OFF *

Al Rais Travel deputy managing director Mohamed Al Rais (pictured) said: “Brand Dubai is trusted by people around the world. The country has rebounded incredibly well since the pandemic, with the latest figures for the first half of 2023 the best on record.

"As a travel company, our figures are very much representative of this. In terms of inbound markets, we’ve seen the top five markets shuffle to some extent, with Saudi dropping slightly and increases in British tourists.

These findings are supported by the latest figures released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). According to DET, Dubai’s top source markets include India, which has seen a 44% increase between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year; Saudi Arabia, which has seen a nominal 5% decrease during the same period; the UK, up 14%; and the Chinese market, which has witnessed a 309% jump in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

Tourism experts at Al Rais also believe that, rather than competing, Saudi Arabia and the UAE complement one another's tourism offerings as their individual marketing campaigns encourage increased visits to the region, and many opportunistic travellers will be keen to visit more than one country while here with the upcoming introduction of the GCC-wide visa.

For more information, visit wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html