Dubai received 14 million visitors in 2016 - Officials



There is an indication that popular city in the United Emirates, Dubai, is strengthening its status as one of the most-visited destinations in the world.

Officials of the Dubai Tourism and the Dubai Chambers of Commerce  stated in Lagos on Monday that it received 14.9 visitors in 2016.



This is as it is planning to host 20 million tourists in 2020, with plans going on to expand its hotels and other infrastructure.

The chamber revealed this at a road show organised by the Dubai Tourism, along with 11 partners across family entertainment, airlines, hotels and DMCs, where it is meeting with stakeholders in Lagos, Abuja and Accra.

The programme follows a successful first edition in Nigeria last year, and will hold in Abuja today (Wednesday) and in Accra, Ghana on Friday.

According to the Regional Director Africa for Dubai Tourism, Stella Obinwa, the project underscores the fact that Africa is a major market for UAE haven.

She said, “Africa continues to be a priority market for us, with massive potential for more visitors to choose Dubai as their preferred destination. Following our successful event last year in Nigeria, we are delighted to bring back our road show to these three key cities in West Africa. This gives us the opportunity to engage with key local travel partners and provide them with a greater understanding of Dubai’s holistic destination offering.”

 Apart from the chamber of commerce, Emirates Airline, Dubai College of Tourism, Hyatt Regency, Nikki Beach, Grand Hyatt, Dubai Parks and Resorts, North Tours LLC, Red Apple Travel Group, Prime Healthcare Group LLC and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai, are participating in the show.

While the representatives of North Tours spoke about its fleet of 120 vehicles, boats, dune buses, desert camps and belly dance experience, with pop singer Banky W lending a voice to this in a video, the Emirates Airline gave an account of the operations of its 241 passenger aircraft and the fact that it flies 1,800 times out of Dubai every week.


Obinwa added, “The road show also marks the beginning of a year that is set to capitalise on the successful openings and launches in the city throughout 2016, including family-friendly destinations such as Dubai Parks and Resorts and IMG Worlds of Adventure, as well as the magnificent Dubai Opera and the expansive Dubai Canal. Furthermore, the city also recently celebrated the 22nd edition of the popular Dubai Shopping Festival, and it is gearing up for the fourth edition of the Dubai Food Festival – a three-week line-up of delectable culinary experiences across Dubai.”

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