Ajman saw tourism revenues hit Dh200 million ($54.4 million) in the first half of the year, with a total of 272,021 visitors travelling to the UAE emirate during the January to June period.

According to the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), tourism revenues from April to June 2016 reached Dh92 million ($25 million), 11 percent higher compared to the same period in 2015. Total guests for the period were 129,617, up from 119,376 in 2015.

Occupancy rate for the second quarter was reported at 63 per cent for hotels while hotel apartments had 68 per cent occupancy rate.

HE Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, said: “The increase for the second quarter of 2016 may be minimal but it is still a significant increase because when combined with the revenue of the first quarter, the result is very encouraging. Factors such as the fall in oil prices, currency fluctuations and geopolitical situation are impacting industry performance but as the report indicated, the numbers of visitors are picking up which means tourists view the UAE as a safe destination with our stable and economic environment and a diverse range of offerings that attract both existing and potential markets.”

Guest nights for the second quarter reached 293,512 with majority of the guests staying at five- and four-star hotels and superior and standard hotel apartments. Local tourists still top the emirate’s guests followed by visitors from Asia and Africa, other Arab countries and GCC nationals. Europeans, Americans and Russian visitors comprised more than 30,000 of the total guests.

With the addition of three furnished apartments to the inventory during Q2, Ajman currently has 39 establishments with a total of 3,392 hotel rooms and units. - TradeArabia News Service