The United Arab Emirates will have more visitors this year than in 2008, according to Euromonitor International global travel and tourism manager Caroline Bremner.
Speaking at ATM in Dubai she revealed the UAE had 2% less visitors in 2009 than 2008 at 8.7 million but said the expectation for 2010 was that it would rise again by 3%.
She believes the key to this recovery and growth will be emerging markets such as China, which sent 10% more tourists in 2009 compared to 2008 as opposed to the UK which was down 4%.
Other key source markets highlighted were Brazil and Poland – the only European country to avoid recession during the economic crisis.
Bremner added: “The Middle East needs to reflect the post recession world and move away from excessive luxury and offer a more cultural experience.”
Bremner also highlighted a drop in spending by visitors to the Middle East as a cause for concern.
She explained: “In 2004 the average spend per visitor was $932, last year it was $638 and we expect that figure to continue to fall.”
An area of promise for the Mena region last year was business travel which increased by 6% and is expected to rise a further 8% this year despite the global decline in business travel of 7%.
Bremner encouraged Dubai to continue to offer discounts and embrace the mid and budget sectors.
She added: “The region needs to rethink luxury, there is room for self catering and destination spas in the market and while 60% of travel in the Mena area was luxury, budget was 10% and is growing.”