A look at Dubai's top 20 source markets during the first 10 months of 2016 shows a double-digit surge in visitors from the Philippines, Pakistan, China, Oman and India - in that order.

The UAE is among the world's most sought-after tourist destinations, with efforts to boost the non-oil economy, bringing about a fresh surge in annual tourist numbers.

No wonder, then, that besides attracting the usual suspects - regional visitors and those from traditional source markets like India and the UK - the UAE in general and Dubai in particular is tapping new and vibrant growth markets to keep the visitor momentum high.

"This has been a successful year for Emirates Holidays and we have seen passenger numbers increase by 21 per cent over the last year. While we have garnered more of the market share - Destination Dubai has done a lot to attract tourists, so we are also seeing the results of that," says Robin Parry, vice-president, Emirates Holidays.

A look at Dubai's top 20 source markets during the first 10 months of 2016 shows a double-digit surge in visitors from the Philippines, Pakistan, China, Oman and India - in that order.

The Philippines recorded the highest spurt in visitors for second consecutive year, recording 19 per cent growth to 311,000 visitors against 262,000 in the corresponding period of 2015.

Total Filipino visitors to Dubai for the whole year 2015 stood at 325,000, up 50 per cent against 216,000 in 2014.

Albert Fernando, COO, Travelwings.com, said: "The Filipino population has grown in the UAE, and one of the prime reasons is the rise in employment, which brings a high disposal income for people to bring in their families for a visit to the UAE. Also, the community is known for having an appetite for high standard of living."

Total international guests to Dubai touched 12 million in the first 10 months of 2016 against 11.70 million in same period of the previous year. Total visitors for the whole year 2015 touched 14.2 million against 13.2 million in 2014.

More Pakistanis, Chinese

Followed by Philippines is Pakistan, which has posted a 16 per cent jump in tourist arrivals to 489,000 visitors in the first 10 months of 2016 against 421,000 visitors during the same period of 2015. Total Pakistani visitors to the UAE in 2015 touched 513,000 visitors, up about 11 per cent over 463,000 visitors in 2014.

Chinese visitors also registered a growth of 13 per cent, from 379,000 to 428,000. It may be noted that Chinese visitors were allowed visa on arrival in September 2016. Overall Chinese visitors to Dubai touched 450,000 visitors in 2015 against 350,000 in 2014.

Oman too features with a double-digit jump of 12 per cent, from 830,000 visitors to 926,000. Total visitors from Oman crossed a million tourists (1,002,000) in 2015 against 853,000 visitors in 2014.

India, the largest community in the UAE, recorded an 11 per cent jump in visitors from 1,269,000 to 1,406,000. Total inbound visitors in 2015 touched 1,601,000 visitors. With Indian demonetisation in full swing and a ban on old Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, the impact did seem to spillover to travel plans.

Emirates Holidays' Parry, however, adds that the growth wasn't limited to these markets. "We have seen more travellers from the UK, and some countries in Africa. For the traveller from the UK, Dubai is being seen as a great alternative to other destinations where they might have traditionally gone for a sunshine break," he says.

- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com