The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) – the principal authority for the planning, supervision and development of the tourism sector in Dubai – is to participate at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) 2013, one of the leading gatherings of the global tourism industry.

Held in Berlin in March, it will mark the 24th year that DTCM has participated in the event which showcases the world’s best destinations for business and leisure guests, and provides businesses with an opportunity to network and develop new and exciting connections. Germany remains one of Dubai’s leading and highly valuable contributors to business and leisure tourism, and its most valuable source market in Central Europe.

Newly appointed Director General of DTCM, H.E. Helal Almarri, said: “The fast emergence of Dubai on the global tourism map is due to a diversity of factors, not least the expansion of our world-class tourist facilities and an impeccable record of high-quality service. Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a strong base of sightseeing attractions, services, and a secure environment; in addition to its excellent infrastructure of telecommunications, roads and airports.”

Dubai’s tourism industry saw considerable growth last year. Overnight visits increased to over nine million in 2012 and records show that in the first nine months of the year Dubai’s hotels welcomed a 9% increase of guests compared to the same period of 2011. Guest nights swelled by 15% and the number of hotels increased by 3%.

Germany and Dubai maintain their well-established relationship in the tourism industry: German visitors have flocked to Dubai for the past five decades. Between January and December 2012, Dubai‘s hotels welcomed a total of 314,951 German guests – an increase of 14% from the same period of 2011 – and guest nights increased by 20%.

The city’s reputation as a vibrant destination for business guests, combining comfort and practicality with memorable venues and reliable infrastructure, is demonstrated by the fact that Germans rank Dubai fifth globally for the most attractive corporate travel destination.

Dubai also enjoys a flourishing relationship with Germany in the cruise tourism industry, with the recently added TUI Cruises and long standing Aida Cruises being amongst the list of luxurious cruise liners to make frequent calls to Dubai. German cruise visitors numbered 67,947 between January and December 2012, an increase of 26% on the previous year.

Describing ITB as an impressive platform for participants to increase business and to contribute to Dubai’s success story, Almarri commented: “Hotels, tour operators and other organisations participating in our Dubai Stand will be showcasing their best offerings to the guests. I am sure that the participants will be able to hold dynamic meetings with our hotel partners, tour operators, resorts and travel agencies; representatives of the cruise and MICE business, sports and event management companies; and government entities such as Dubai Convention and Events Bureau (DCEB), Dubai Cruise Terminal, and Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.”

ITB offers the chance for Dubai to showcase upcoming events in Dubai such as: SIBOS 2013 (September); Dubai Sports World 2013 (June to Augus)t; and GITEX Shopper 2013 (October); as well as new attractions such as the beginning of the construction of the Dubai Eye, the tallest ferris wheel in the world. DTCM’s participation in the event signals its continuing commitment to the growth of Dubai’s tourism industry, and its enthusiastic alliance with Germany’s tourism market.