Dubai has been defying the negative trends that have marred the global tourism industry and economy due to its ambition to excel and make a name for itself on the world map.
Its recipe for success: visionary leadership, bold and innovative approach to conducting business, timely execution of giant projects, unfaltering commitment to quality and a firm resolve to march ahead of other established and emerging destinations.

The results are mind-boggling growth levels in almost all economic sectors and a promising future.
Its aggressive growth and promotional agenda is the fruit of an inspirational public-private sector partnership and the government’s unwavering determination to be a successful model destination.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, cogently sums up the unwavering spirit. “Most people talk, we do things. They plan, we achieve. They hesitate, we move ahead. We are living proof that when human beings have the courage and commitment to transform a dream into reality, there is nothing that can stop them. Dubai is a living example of that. We have people from all over the world who are part of a success story in all sectors of our economy & society.”   

The fast-expanding tourism industry remained a prime mover of the economy, enhancing its enormous contribution to the GDP and attracting huge foreign investments.

For the first time in its history, Dubai played host to over six million hotel guests in 2005.  
No small achievement for a destination that practically emerged on the world map in 1997 after the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) was established, replacing a promotion board that existed for nine years.

The DTCM Director General, Khalid A bin Sulayem, says: “Tourism has been shaping Dubai’s economy quite well and continues to contribute enormously in giving new growth directions. The emirate is working towards matching the expectations of the world. We are moving ahead with confidence and the world keeps looking at us with admiration and amazement. Dubai’s success is both inspiring and promising.  As far as we can see, the future appears bright.”

Global Lodging Review, a publication of Deloitte and Smith Travel Research, has ranked Dubai hotels and hotel apartments first in the world in terms of generating the highest revenue per available room (RevPar) between January and September 2005.

Dubai is followed by New York and Singapore. Dubai’s average daily room rate at $204.24 comes second only to Paris at $230.77 while New York is positioned third with an ADR of $197.47.

Dubai's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) posted 16.7 per cent growth touching AED 100 billion in 2004. The accumulated annual growth of Dubai's economy in the last decade comes to 10 per cent, the highest rate of growth in the world.
The stellar performance reflects the success of Dubai’s economic diversification policy and the vitality of its economy.

Against the backdrop of Dubai’s phenomenal successes in different domains, especially the tourism industry, and taking into account the ambitious projects that are taking shape or planned for completion by the end of this decade, the DTCM has set in motion its strategy plan for the 2005-2010 period.

The DTCM Manager Media and Advertising, Mr. Ahmed Al Tunaiji, said: “Dubai is at the cutting edge of the international tourist sector due to its strategic investments, high-quality expansion of infrastructure and excellent quality standards. We are continuing our aggressive marketing and promotional agenda. We have launched several unique advertising campaigns, including the London Taxi campaign which will run for 12 months.”

The year 2005 witnessed Dubai offering winter experiences with the opening of the SkiDubai. Complete with Alpine-style chalets, fir trees, chairlifts and ski runs graded from green to black, it is the world's largest indoor snow resort. 

2005 also saw Dubai receiving high praise from the UK and Germany travel industry. The UK and Germany are among the top 10 source markets for Dubai’s booming tourism industry.

The German Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (DRV) praised Dubai’s “outstanding” growth and recognised its “resolute and strategic” investments for a cutting-edge position in the highly-competitive tourism industry. For the first time in its 55 year history, DRV gave Dubai its honorary membership.

The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) also presented Dubai its prestigious Innovation Award – first ever awarded to a destination.

Dubai emerged as a ‘dream’ destination for UK holidaymakers. Dubai has been dubbed as The Big Star by the UK’s largest long-haul tour operator, Kuoni.

According to the latest report on the luxury long-haul travel market, Kuoni revealed that in the 12 months to the end of June 2005, Dubai became the number one luxury long-haul destination.

Dubai gained another seal of global approval after a survey by American Express Travel placed the emirate among the top 10 long-haul holiday destinations for  UK tourists. In fact, Dubai improved its popularity ranking in 2004 by climbing three more positions to become the fourth most favoured long-haul holiday hotspot.  

Russia, CIS and Baltic Performance chart
 

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The DTCM will be exhibiting at MITT 2007. Please visit them in the FORUM stand F214.
The DTCM will be exhibiting at UITT 2007 in the Main international Hall 1, stand C4.