Dubai hotels registered $4.1 bn revenues in 2008

DUBAI: Despite economically-challenging times for the global tourism industry, hotels here has registered all-time high record revenues of USD 4.15 billion in 2008.

"Dubai has successfully retained its strong position as a business and leisure tourism hub with its impressive portfolio of hotels posting all-time high record revenues of 15.25 billion dirhams (USD 4.15 billion)," Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said.

"The results are highly encouraging and reflects the vibrancy and dynamism of the emirate's expanding tourism industry. The performance reflects the efforts and ability of Dubai in confidently navigating through one of the most-difficult journeys that the global tourism industry is faced with." Khalid A bin Sulayem, the director general of Dubai Department of DTCM, said.

DTCM claims that Dubai hotel establishments hosted 6,996,449 guests in 2008, up from 6,951,798 visitors in the previous year.

"There are strong signs of growth for the tourism industry. Dubai has invested heavily in the tourism sector and is probably better placed to remain sound during a challenging time and, with its great product offering, may emerge faster than other regions when the global economy improves," Sulayem added.