A recent research report released by Arabian Travel Market ahead of the major event reveals that the UAE is set to welcome 8.92 million visitors from the top five source markets by 2023. The country’s top three source markets for inbound tourism are India, KSA and the UK.

The number of Indian visitors travelling to the UAE will increase at a CAGR of 7% to 3.01 million in 2023, while arrivals from Saudi Arabia and the UK will witness an increase of 2% and 1% to 1.76 million and 1.28 million respectively over the same period.

With these in mind, Dubai-based hotel chain S Hotels International has confirmed its participation at this year’s event which will run from 28 April to 1 May 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“It is a must for us to be present”

Shailesh Grover, general manager of The S Hotel Al Barsha, said: “As the global meeting place for the travel trade, it is a must for us to be present. We are excited to meet our peers, share ideas with trade professionals as well as investors and developers. We also have a unique opportunity to touch base with our key partners who have been supporting the inbound traffic and to get the right mix of business share in the ensuing period.”

Aside from its first time to attend the annual event, the UAE-based hospitality group recently had its grand opening and media launch of its first four-star property in Dubai in February 2019. According to the group, the property has enjoyed a positive 70% occupancy rate for its first three months of operation.

The midscale property features 234 rooms, 12 suites, three themed restaurants and a spa.

“It’s the right time to grow our midscale properties”

“Our marketing efforts are geared towards attracting guests from these high-growth segments. Our focus is to get a bigger slice of the inbound tourists from India, KSA, UK, China and Russia. We’re also targeting the GCC & Middle East, Southeast Asia, Far East Asia, Europe and Latin America,” Grover concluded.

“With the robust growth of tourism and the UAE government’s full support as well as the Expo 2020 next year, it’s the right time to grow our midscale properties.”