Dubai's tourist flow growth has fallen compared to 2017.
The number of foreign citizens visiting Dubai, the tourist center of the Persian Gulf, increased by 0.5% in the first half of 2018. This figure is significantly lower than last year - then the growth was 10.6%.
The authorities of the United Arab Emirates spent billions on the construction of various attractions, including funds allocated for the construction of the tallest tower in the world. According to the Department of Tourism, from the beginning of the year until June 30, Dubai received 8.1 million international tourists.
It was previously reported that in the first half of 2017, the city was visited by 8.06 million tourists, thereby demonstrating an increase of 10.6% compared to the previous year.
According to the Department of Tourism, at the end of 2017, the tourism industry was estimated at 109 billion dirhams ($ 29.7 billion). It is worth noting that after many years of strong growth in Dubai, there has been a slowdown in growth in some sectors such as, for example, real estate.
In 2018, India remained the largest external market for Dubai, the number of tourists from this country increased by 3% and exceeded a million people in the first six months - compared with an increase of 21% in the number of Indian citizens who visited the UAE a year earlier.
The number of tourists from China and Russia increased by 9% to 453 thousand and 74% to 405 thousand, respectively.
In recent years, the UAE has simplified the visa regime for citizens of China and Russia in order to stimulate the tourist flow from these countries.
This year, passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport has not increased significantly. This situation is observed in the first after 15 years of growth.
