Dubai: Tourist spending in the UAE was up 5 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2014, according to a new report from Network International, a payment solutions provider.
The report, which is based on credit or debit card transactions by country, suggested that Americans accounted for the largest portion of total spending in the first quarter at 21 per cent. They were followed by tourists from Saudi Arabia (12 per cent), the UK (9 per cent), China, (4 per cent) and Kuwait (3.4 per cent).
Spending by tourists from the US grew by 9 per cent, Saudi Arabia by 25 per cent and Canada by 53 per cent since the previous year. However, spending by visitors from Russia fell 52 per cent due to the weak rouble and China by 7 per cent in the first quarter.
In terms of spending behaviours, Americans, Canadians and Australians spend the most on airfare, but spend the lowest average amounts on hotels and meals, according to the report. Network International did not say how much they spent on airfare, hotels and meals.
Meanwhile, consumers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, spend 60 per cent more than an average person per meal, with an average ticket size of Dh180.
Tourist spending volumes are highest during the winter months when the weather is cooler. Spending volumes from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC countries) come in at the top in the winter months. European and North American spends are the highest in winter compared to the rest of the year.
