Recent statistics released by the department of tourism in Dubai stated that visitor numbers reveal that more than 11.7 million international overnight visitors arrived in the city during the first 10 months of 2015.

This is an 8.3% (900,000) increase compared to 2014 (increase in numbers goes hand in hand with a seven percent rise in hotel room supply over the same period).

Asia showed largest growth, with a 54% and 32% increase in international overnight visitors from the Philippines and China respectively, however established markets such as the UK and Germany also saw double-digit growth with 12% and 11% respectively.

Other Western markets such as Canada and the US also saw healthy increases in visitors. The Middle East remains the largest regional source market with a 24% share of Dubai’s total visitors, while Western European visitors contributed 20% to total number of visitors.

Festivals and events like the 2016 Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Food Festival are seen as key visitor drivers in early 2016.