The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed the number of hotel guests in Dubai, between January and September 2010, reached nearly six million (5,991,660 guests), reflecting a 6% increase compared to the 5,640,703 guests during the corresponding period in 2009.

Meanwhile, DTCM has also launched an international campaign to promote the “Definitely Dubai” initiative, aiming to market the Emirate’s tourist attractions across the world in collaboration with major international tourism companies.

This followed a joint meeting between representatives of various hotels and tourism companies which was presided over by DTCM Director General Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, at The Atlantis The Palm hotel last week in the presence of a number of DTCM managers and executives, and other representatives of the two groups and government entities.

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Bin Sulayem said that the latest increase in tourism figures follows the 9% increase achieved during the first half of this year. He added that such an increase was possible due to the extensive marketing efforts of DTCM, and the diverse promotional programs it introduces across the global tourism market, in addition to the Department’s cooperation with private sector organisations locally and internationally.

Further, Bin Sulayem expressed his gratitude to the private sector representatives for their sincere efforts and constant cooperation with DTCM to achieve a common goal of boosting Dubai’s tourism sector.

Statistics also indicate that the number of tourist reservations for the first three quarters of 2010 reached 18,731,478 compared to 16,378,422 during the same period of 2009, marking a 14% increase.

Also, the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments increased during the first three quarters of 2010 by 16%; from 59,372 rooms and hotel apartments in the first three quarters of last year to 68,654 this year. Hotel occupancy rates were steady for the first nine months of this year and were almost identical to the occupancy rates achieved during the same period last year.

The number of hotel facilities currently active in Dubai reached 565 compared to 533 in the same period last year, marking a 6% increase.

Hotel revenues amounted to AED 9,238,795,000 compared to AED 8,705,775,000 realized during the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 6%.