UK visitor figures released by Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), show the number of guest nights for visitors in the emirate increased by 14 per cent in the first quarter of the year in comparison to 2011.

This has been driven by a 20 per cent increase in the average length of stay, with UK visitors now spending an average of four and a half days in the emirate compared with less than four days for the same period last year. 

The statistics show that apartments and four star accommodation saw the most dramatic surge in guest nights, with year on year increases of 37 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

Length of stay in apartments has increased by 75 per cent, giving an average duration of over ten nights. 

While the figures underline the importance of the luxury sector in Dubai, with five star accommodation still accounting for 56 per cent of all hotel stays, visitors are increasingly choosing value for money options, making the most of the wide choice of affordable accommodation available in Dubai.

The significant increase in the use of apartments is being attributed to the appeal among families of both the affordable and flexible nature of that type of holiday accommodation.

Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for the DTCM, said: “We are delighted with the UK results to date and are confident that visitor numbers will continue with this positive start throughout the year. 

“It is great to see guests extending their stay in the emirate as visitors take advantage of the huge variety of activity Dubai has to offer.

“The rise in guests choosing value for money accommodation is understandable and shows that visitors are becoming increasingly aware of the range of options available to them in the emirate.”

So far this year the number of rooms in Dubai has jumped four per cent to 75,171. 

The emirate is set to open a further 13,300 rooms throughout the year further emphasising Dubai as an increasingly popular tourist destination.