Dubai: Family tourism accounted for 12.5 per cent of the $1.07 trillion global tourism market in 2012, making it a major segment of the Islamic economy, according to a Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry report.
As per the report, based on Thomson Reuters data, family tourism has grown in value from $137 billion in 2012 to $140 billion in 2013, and is forecast to reach over $181 billion by 2018, the Chamber said in a statement on Tuesday. Industry experts expect the family tourism sector grow by 4.79 per cent annually until 2020, higher than the global average of 3.8 per cent, it stated.
“Family tourism is one of the most vibrant areas of the global tourism industry and a key element of the Islamic economy. With Muslim travellers constituting a major segment of the global tourism traffic, the priorities of families have become critical to tourism industry’s growth and have redefined the focal areas for tourism activities,” stated Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chamber.
The Dubai Capital of Islamic Economy initiative, which was launched in 2013, has identified family tourism as a major growth area. The UAE is one of the top source markets for family tourism, with spending worth $10.1 billion, according to the report.
“Dubai is strategically positioned to become a centre of family tourism as it aims to become the capital of Islamic economy and builds its tourism infrastructure to create family oriented hospitality services and facilities in accordance with Islamic practices,” he said.
The UAE is positioned high in the new emerging travel market since family values are part of the local culture, according to the statement. It was ranked second globally with a rating of 7.0, based on criteria set by Crescent rating, a leading Muslim travel rating organisation based in Singapore.
