Dubai says growth in its cruise ship industry, more exhibitions, and increased efforts to promote the sector will help boost tourism to the emirate this year to fill the 10,000 hotel rooms it plans to add over the next 12 months.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said it would also focus on the implementation of a new hotel classification system, which was announced last year.
"The year 2011 is expected to outperform 2010 in terms of increasing the numbers of tourists, hotels, hotel rooms, and participation in international exhibitions and conventions, in addition to increasing awareness of Dubai abroad," said Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, a spokesman for DTCM.
Tourism directly accounts for about 19 per cent of the emirate's gross domestic product.
The number of hotel rooms and hotel apartment rooms increased during the first three quarters of last year to 68,654 rooms from 59,372 rooms in the same period during the previous year, the DTCM said.
Under the new classification system, hotels will still be rated on a scale of one to five stars, but five star properties will be placed in one of three categories: platinum, gold, or silver. Hotels would also be rated under different categories including business, beach, and desert. The system has been under development for almost four years.
Hoteliers in Dubai said they received no further information on the new system following the announcement at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai last May.
"The historic rivalry between two New York giants could be played out in the Gulf." See Quotes of the Day.
Dubai confident it can fill 10,000 extra hotel rooms in 2011
Cruise ships and exhibitions are two factors Dubai is confident will help it fill 10,000 extra hotel rooms coming on stream this year, officials say.
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