The number of UAE visitors to the United Kingdom increased 13 per cent in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period last year, according to a Visit Britain official.  Director of Strategy and Insights, Patricia Yates, said “We expect this trend to continue through to the end of the year.”    She said the number of UAE visitors account for 13 per cent of total visitors to the UK.

The number of UAE visitors to the UK increased 24 per cent to 232,000 in 2008 compared to 2007, and tourist spending during 2008 surged 53 per cent to £289 million (Dh1.73 billion).   These figures have doubled since 2001 when 111,000 UAE visitors spent £139m.  Yates said the increase in visitors from the UAE is due in part to the strength of the dollar pegged dirham compared to the pound.  Last year the sterling traded at 7.3 to the dirham but earlier this year it fell to 5.4, and yesterday was at 5.7 to the dirham.