Dubai Tourism has reported a 11% increase in overnight visitation in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2016.

There was a 5% increase from the UK market.

January to March 2017 saw 4.57 million travellers visit the city, reflecting more than double the growth achieved in the first quarter of last year.

The top three positions were India, KSA and UK, accounting collectively for 30% of total Q1 visitation to Dubai, with India becoming the first ever market to record nearly 580,000 visitors in any one quarter, and a 23% growth in arrivals between January and March.

Among Dubai’s top 20 source markets for inbound tourism, China and Russia continued to top the growth with 64% and 106% increases over Q1 2016, delivering 230,000 and 126,000 tourists respectively.

The destination saw another first as Western Europe took on pole position, contributing 22% of the overnight visitor volumes, ahead of the traditional GCC market leadership.

The South Asia region followed the GCC closely as the number three regional contributor, delivering a 18% share, with the proximity markets across the MENA continuing to deliver sustained volumes at 12% share. The Americas contributed 6% in volumes, Africa 4% and Australasia the final 1% for Q1 2017.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Tourism, said: “Q1 2017 has set us off on a very strong trajectory for the year and we are pleased to see our strategic investments and policy reforms yielding such definitive impact. As Dubai continues to evolve and expand the breadth and depth of its tourism proposition, we expect to amplify the appeal of our city as the top consideration for not only first-time but also repeat business and leisure travellers.”