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UAE tops region for tourism receipts in 2012

Abu Dhabi, May 20, 2013

The United Arab Emirates has topped the Middle East region for international tourism receipts in 2012, a report said.

Globally, the UAE was ranked 31st with receipts of about $10 billion, while Saudi Arabia claimed the 35th position with revenues reaching $7.4 billion, WAM, the Emirates News Agency, quoted the data released by the UN's World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The global list for international tourism receipts was topped by the US, Spain, France, China and Italy, while Middle East tourism receipts totalled $46.7 billion in 2012, said the UNWTO report.

However, international tourism receipts hit a new record in 2012, reaching an estimated $1,075 billion worldwide, as against $1,042 billion in 2011, marking an increase of 4 per cent.

"It is encouraging to see that the growth in international tourist arrivals was equalled by a comparable increase in spending in spite of continued economic challenges," said UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai was quoted as saying by WAM.

"Considering that tourism is a key export for many economies around the world, this result is good news as it provides foreign reserves to destinations, and contributes to job creation in tourism as well as in related economic sectors" he added.




Tags: Saudi Arabia | UAE | Middle East | UNWTO | World Tourism Organisation |

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