Dubai: UK tourists and business travellers spent $74 million in the UAE in June, July and August this year the largest amount spent by any group.
According to statistics released by Visa International, spending during the summer increased by around 30 per cent compared to 2004. The figure is up to around $342 million.
UK visitors out-spent travellers from Saudi Arabia, normally the biggest spenders among travellers in the Middle East, by nearly 45 per cent.
Saudis spent $41 million, according to the report.
Visitors from the US were third, spending $39 million, followed by Kuwaitis who spent $17 million.
Kamran Siddiqi, Visa International Middle East general manager, says the UAE summer spending statistics for 2005 reflect a trend among travellers away from hard currency to payment cards.
"Carrying cash from one developed country to another is simply not necessary anymore. Using Visa payment cards is easier and safer," said Siddiqi.
Siddiqi praised Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for their job in promoting the emirate as a holiday destination in Europe.
Khalid Bin Sulayem, DTCM's Director General said developments such as Jumeirah's Madinat Jumeirah resort, Mall of the Emirates, the Palm Islands projects, Burj Dubai, Dubailand, Dubai Festival City, Dubai International City and the Dubai International Financial Centre attracted summer visitors from Europe and the US.
"As these projects open, we expect tourism spending in Dubai to increase exponentially," said Sulayem.
He said that a growing number of UK travellers are rating Dubai above destinations like New York for a 'short-break' holiday.
"Last year there were over 450,000 tourists in Dubai from the UK, so it makes sense they spend more. They know the destination through massive promotions in the UK," said Ghassan Aridi, CEO, Alpha Hotels.
