The Dubai Mall in Dubai, UAE, welcomed 80 million visitors during 2014, becoming the world’s most-visited lifestyle destination, accoridng to a report.

The flagship mall owned by Emaar Malls continues to appeal to global visitors and retail enthusiasts as a must-visit destination with its world class lifestyle, retail and entertainment offering, said the Wam news agency report.

Mohamad Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Malls, said: "This is another historic milestone for Dubai, with a record 80 million visitors to The Dubai Mall in 2014. No other global tourist destination or even airports, which traditionally have the highest footfall, achieved the significant visitor arrivals The Dubai Mall recorded.

"With wholesale and retail accounting for nearly 30 per cent of Dubai’s real GDP, The Dubai Mall continues to make a sterling contribution to our city’s diversified economic growth, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai."

The visitor numbers recorded in the mall were higher than footfall figures provided in 2014 by Business Insider for Times Square, New York City at 39.2 million; Niagara Falls at 22.5 million; Central Park New York at 37.5 million; Union Station, Washington DC at 32.85 million; Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom Orlando at 17.5 million and Eiffel Tower in Paris at 7 million, among others, it said.

The contribution of The Dubai Mall to the city’s retail sector is significant, and is estimated to account for about 5 per cent of Dubai’s GDP. Tenant sales recorded across the mall’s 1,200 plus retail stores and 200 F&B outlets at the mall, cumulatively grew by 14 percent in 2014, with growth seen across categories including fashion, luxury jewellery, footwear, sports and recreation, health and beauty, entertainment and food, said the report.