UAE Visitors To UK Increase 13pc In H109

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.