At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace, has defined its credentials as one of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 1.87 million visitors in 2013, said a senior official.

Located on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building by Emaar Properties, At the Top will not only offer visitors majestic, sweeping vistas of Dubai and the surrounding region, it will also be an evocative and interactive journey through the history and evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.

Visitors to the observatory deck, increased 13 per cent in 2013, up from 1.66 million visitors the previous year.

International tourists accounted for over 50 per cent of all visitors to the leisure attraction, which offers majestic views across Dubai and the Arabian Gulf, said a statement from Emaar.

Germans comprised the most number of international tourists at 23 per cent, followed by visitors from the UK (15 per cent); Russia and India (11 per cent each); US (10 per cent); Saudi Arabia (7 per cent); Australia, Italy, and China (5 per cent each); and France and the Netherlands (4 per cent each), it stated.

Further underlining its popularity, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, was this year crowned 'Best Tourist Attraction in the Middle East' at the Conde Nast Reader's Choice Awards.

Ahmad Al Falasi, the executive director – Property Management of Emaar Properties, said: “At the Top, Burj Khalifa is a key contributor to Dubai’s tourism sector and is not only a must-see attraction for tourists but also popular among UAE residents. The one-of-a-kind attraction offers unparalleled views across the city, which inspires visitors to return time-and-time again.”

Accessible online to billions of visitors across the world through Google’s ‘Street View’ collection, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, also proved a popular attraction for visiting dignitaries and celebrities including; Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Nene; US actor Jesse Metcalfe; Australian actress Melissa George; English actor Warwick Davis; US singer Gloria Gaynor; football stars André Schürrle (Germany), Bader Saleh (UAE); Indian cricketer Harbajan Singh; and World Wrestling Entertainment’s Mick Foley and The MIZ.

The observation deck served as a popular venue for media briefings and special events, and promoted local talent through the ‘Art At The Top’ competition organised in partnership with The Ara Gallery, to encourage Emirati artists, said the statement from Emaar.

Supporting health and well-being initiatives, the destination also hosted yoga sessions and reached out to the community through a number of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Last year, more than 20 visits were organised for groups from different charity institutions, it added.

Now marking its fourth anniversary, At the Top, Burj Khalifa offers visitors the opportunity to witness the sun rise over the city of dreams on Fridays and Saturdays, until February 28, 2014.-TradeArabia News Service