Tales of Dubai’s tourism…

Tales of Dubai’s tourism…

…Can only be told by the Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing from now on. And the tales will probably have happy endings.

March 10, 2009 1:34 by Aarti Nagraj

Kipp has confirmed local media reports that the Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has sent a circular to hoteliers in the emirate asking them not to speak to the media about the general tourism market.

The circular said that hotel officials can quote DTCM officials, and may provide information about their own establishments to the media, a source from the industry told Kipp, adding that the step was to prevent speculation and predictions.

Predictably (and ironically), the circular was followed by a press release issued by the DTCM on Monday claiming that Dubai’s hotels hosted 6,996,449 guests in 2008, up from 6,951,798 visitors in 2007. Hotels in the city also posted revenues of AED15.25 billion in 2008, a record number for the emirate, the DTCM said.

“The results are highly encouraging and reflects the vibrancy and dynamism of the emirate’s expanding tourism industry,” said Khalid A. bin Sulayem, director of the DTCM.

Furthermore, the “vibrant” industry has recently put another feather in its cap; according to the annual report produced by the professional services firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Dubai ranks amongst the world’s top 20 cities in terms of hotel performance. The report is based on three ranking tables: hotel revenue per available room (revPAR), occupancy and average room rate.

According to the report, Dubai achieved the highest average room rates and revPAR in the Middle East at $300 and $237 respectively.

Whoever said anything about a financial crisis?