By IPS Correspondents
DUBAI, Mar 6 2003 (IPS)

Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has registered a +30 percent strong rebound in terms of international tourist arrivals and has occupied the top place in the most frequently visited destinations, according to a report published by World Tourism Organization (WTO).

The report places Hong Kong, France, Turkey, Belgium, China and Germany behind in terms of visitor inflow.

Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem addressing the press conferences said that +30 percent is an enormous increase. He remarked that while many destinations had receded in the background following the events of September 11 2001, and looked for situation to normalize, Dubai cruised ahead with a well thought out planned marketing strategy.

"An effectively formulated marketing plan was designed in cooperation with the public and private sectors in Dubai. Joint media and advertising campaigns were also carried out. The objective has been to convince the global perception that in Dubai it is business as usual by giving a correct picture of the emirate and the UAE, highlighting safety as well as on-going developments in the country," said Mr. bin Sulayem.

Mr. bin Sulayem lauded the vision of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defense Minister and Chairman of the DTCM.

"It is the far sightedness and initiative of Sheikh Mohammed that has earned us to the topmost position among the tourism promoting destinations," said Mr. bin Sulayem.

In addition to this, DTCM also participated in exhibitions and road shows both regionally as well as internationally. This sent positive signals globally.

Mr. bin Sulayem noted that the WTO in its press release as well as website mentioned a +30 percent rebound in terms of international tourist arrivals: "These figures are identical to the figures we announced for the hotel establishments, which amounts to 31.15 percent."

According to the report, out of 715 million international tourists, Dubai receives 0.7 percent. Further, 20 percent tourists of the 24 million tourists from the region, also frequent the emirate.

Among the countries mentioned in the report are Hong Kong 21 percent rebound, Argentina 15 percent rebound, Turkey 13.6 percent and France 2 percent.

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