The number of visitors from the GCC countries to Dubai has risen by 164 per cent in the past seven years.
The number of GCC hotel guests increased from 400,394 in 1996 to 1.06 million last year, according to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Several projects such as Dubailand, The Palm, and Dubai Festival City, are going to broaden the appeal of Dubai as a perfect year-round and safest destination for business and leisure.
A DTCM official said Dubai tourism industry recorded an impressive year-on-year growth with its ever-expanding portfolio of hotel establishments receiving over 21 million guests between 1996 and 2002, a phenomenal 148 per cent growth.
The DTCM said the total number of hotel establishment guests in the emirate rose to 4,756,280 last year from 1,918,471 in 1996.
The DTCM director operations and marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, said: 'The number of hotel guests registered tremendous growth in the past seven years from all nationalities in general. However, some nationalities have registered as much as a 300 per cent growth.'
The number of visitors from Britain, a key source market for Dubai tourism industry, posted a phenomenal 306 per cent growth in seven year's period.
During 1996-2002, the UK visitors to Dubai jumped from 110,045 to 447,006. Similarly, France registered an increase of 286 per cent in Dubai hotel guests, from 16,284 in 1996 to 62,767.
Germany, another crucial market, witnessed a 257 per cent increase, from 47,962 in 1996 to 171,140 visitors last year.
A 173 per cent rise was recorded in guests from Italy, from 11,910 in 1996 to 32, 534 in 2002. Scandinavia recorded a 68 per cent increase during this period, from 22,880 to 38,326 visitors.
Bin Hareb said: The phenomenal growth achieved by the Dubai tourism industry, especially hotel establishments, reflects the constant efforts of the department to boost the image of Dubai in overseas markets and enhance awareness about the world-class facilities and attractions available to visitors.'
He said the growth speaks volumes about the success of the aggressive marketing and promotional agenda to enhance the international profile of Dubai.