Hotels in Dubai welcomed about 11.6 million guests in 2014, marking a 5.6% increase in visitor numbers from 2013, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed.

The top ten source markets for hotel guests remain almost the same as the previous year, with slight shifts in positioning. Saudi Arabia continued to be the top source market last year followed by India, the UK, USA, Iran, Oman, China, Kuwait, Russia and Germany.

“The 2014 figures demonstrate healthy year-on-year growth for hotel establishment guest numbers with significant increases from Asia, Africa and Western Europe,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of DTCM. “The strong growth in hotel guests from China is hugely positive and reflects our targeted work in this market.”

“The 5.6% increase in the number of hotel guests occurred despite the decrease in the number of Russian visitors – a result of the current geopolitical situation and the decrease in the value of the ruble. Dubai’s tourism industry is insulated from any short-term fluctuations within any one market, and in 2015 we will continue to work with our partners to increase market share from newer markets,” he added.

Hotels and hotel establishments in Dubai saw an increase in guest nights in 2014, rising from 41.58 million in 2013 to 44.66 million in 2014 – a 7.4% increase. Revenues for hoteliers and hotel-apartment operators was AED 23.9 billion in 2014 ($6.5 billion), up 9.8% from 2013.

Many of Dubai’s prominent hotel chains recorded high average occupancy rates in 2014, the statement said. The Address Hotels and Resorts saw average occupancy of over 85%, while Dubai’s Jumeirah Group recorded 80% occupancy in its properties. Occupancy at Atlantis, The Palm reached 87% on average in 2014.