UAE's travel and tourism sector witness robust growth

Commercial port in Dubai Mina Rashid The UAE's travel and tourism industry witnessed a robust growth this year and the expectations for the New Year are naturally high, commented a U.A.E. daily. "The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has already predicted that the Middle East will lead the global aviation industry growth over the next four years", said 'Gulf Today' in an editorial today.
The U.A.E. will add 29.2 million passengers over the next four years at a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 6.6 per cent as total global air passenger numbers are expected to rise to 3.91 billion by 2017, as per IATA predictions.
The positive outlook for regional air traffic comes in the wake of a spectacular 14 per cent year-on-year growth in passenger traffic recorded by Middle East carriers in October, much higher than the global average of 6.9 per cent.
The U.A.E. will also be among the world's largest international freight markets by 2017, according to the IATA. The U.A.E., which will join the US, China, Germany and Hong Kong as the top cargo markets, will contribute more than 700,000 tonnes each to the additional freight volume during the five-year period.
Data from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing reveals that Dubai attracted over 7.9 million visitors in the first nine months of 2013, with hotels registering a 17.1 per cent increase in revenue to Dhs15.33 billion compared to the same time last year.
The cruise sector is also witnessing a smooth sail. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are expanding their port infrastructure. Mina Rashid in Dubai was voted the World's Leading Cruise Port for the sixth consecutive year at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2013. Mina Rashid won against cruise ports from around the world, including Singapore, the Seychelles, Turkey, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, South Africa and the US.
Mina Rashid's new facility is designed to handle 7,000 cruise passengers simultaneously, with a seating capacity of over 2,000. The facility will cover an area of 24,000 square metres, and around 50,000 square metres car parking space, with provision for 150 taxi cars, 36 buses, 52 cars for desert safari operators, 100 parking bays for employees and 100 for private cars.
Sharjah's 2013-2014 luxury cruise season began last month with the arrival of MSC Lirica with more than 2,000 people on board. A total number of 43,000 luxury cruise passengers are scheduled to visit the Emirate during this season.
"Dubai's successful bid to host Expo 2020 is an extraordinary feat that is expected to positively change the face of tourism in the
Source: WAM