Dubai-U.S. travel market plunges

The number of travellers from Dubai to the U.S. has dropped by about 50 per cent this year compared to last year, said Rashid Al Noori, senior general manager, Dnata.

"But things are starting to look better. In June, July and August there has been healthy growth. July and August are not as good as last year but the figures are getting better."

Demand for Australia has also plummeted since visa processing times were extended after September 11. However, the UK and Germany have been strong destinations this year, he added.

Industry experts agreed that the amount of traffic to the U.S. for holidays during summer has dropped by about 15 to 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The U.S. is not expected to get a big boost in tourism from Dubai until at least next summer.

"Because it is a long-haul destination, when people go there, they like to stay for more than 15 or 20 days. We do not expect much of a recovery until next summer," said Manu Mehrotra, general manager, Al Tayer Travel Agency.

The American embassy in Abu Dhabi does not yet have the figures on how many visit visas have been processed this year.

It processed 29,000 visit visas in 2000 and 27,000 last year. The Dubai consulate processed 27,000 visit visas in 2000 and 34,000 last year.

Worldwide, the demand for visit visas to the U.S. has dropped by an average 26 per cent, said an embassy spokesperson.

"There is a trend all over the world that the demand for visa applications has dropped by 26 per cent. It is not just about September 11, but there is no way of telling how much it is down because of it."

According to the spokesperson, the visa processing departments in the UAE are working "pretty much on the same level as before. There is a slight decrease in applicants but the numbers are still good".