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Dubai Parks and Resorts records almost 2.8 million visits in 2018

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DXB Entertainments theme park Bollywood Parks Dubai at Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Dubai Parks and Resorts recorded almost 2.8 million visits in 2018, an increase of 22% on the previous year.

In Q4 2018, Dubai Parks recorded over 819,000 visits – compared to 796,000 in the same period last year.

A statement said: “The last quarter of the year benefitted from winter seasonality, with Halloween, the UAE’s 47th anniversary, and the winter school break and holidays boosting visitor numbers.”

Average occupancy at the Lapita Hotel stood at 63 per cent in Q4, also reaching close to 100 per cent during certain days in December.

Throughout 2018, average occupancy at the hotel rose to 60 per cent in 2018, compared to 35 per cent in 2017.

Priorities: increasing footfall from international tourists

Mohamed Almulla, CEO and managing director, DXB Entertainments, said: “We saw a 22 per cent increase in visits with 40 per cent of overall footfall from international tourists, demonstrating that our strategic partnerships with Emirates Airlines, RTA and Dubai Airport, as well as China’s Union Pay, are showing good results.

“Looking ahead to 2019, our priority is to continue increasing footfall from international tourists, which is a key growth driver for the destination, while also maintaining the solid base of local and regional visitors.”

Last March, the firm restructured its debt and reduced its visitor number targets.

This followed steady growth throughout the year. In Q3 2018, Dubai Parks and Resorts recorded over 501 thousand visits. This compared favourably to 479 thousand in the same period last year. August also saw an increase in visits as the parks benefited from the Eid holidays. September saw an anticipated slow down as the new school year started. Q3 2018 visits are currently in line with, and reflect, the expected impact of seasonality.

The Lapita Hotel average occupancy rose to 59% in the first nine months of the year. Ths was also a promising development over last year.

MOTIONGATE Dubai was recently awarded the best theme park in the UAE at the Time Out Kids Awards 2018. In addition, the LEGOLAND Water Park was awarded the best water park in the UAE .

Dubai Parks and Resorts records almost 2.8 million visits in 2018

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Michael Mander

Michael Mander

I am a journalist from Essex, England. I enjoy travelling, and love exploring attractions around the world. I graduated from Lancaster University in 2018. Twitter @michael_mander.

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