The hugely-popular web address is receiving an average of 16 million hits a month since the start of 2006, up from the average 13 million a month last year.
The DTCM Manager Information Technology, Mr. Suhail Buhelaiba, said, 'The website has been playing a crucial role in broadening the international profile of Dubai by offering vital information about every aspect of the emirate.'
He said several new features are planned to offer website visitors more information about Dubai, ranked among the most-happening and fastest growing cities.
The number of website hits in March this year was 17.9 million, up from 13.6 million for the same month last year. In April, the total hits were 15.4 million followed by 16.7 million in May and 15.52 million in June. Europe tops the list of regions from where the hits originated. This was followed by North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Among the most-downloadable items by the website visitors are Dubai map, business and tourism promotion videos, and photographs. News, web camera and hotel directory are equally popular with the surfers.
The periodically-updated website is expected to draw more visitors in the coming months considering the massive developments taking shape in the emirate.
The DTCM has been a front-runner among the local government organizations in utilizing Information Technology to promote tourism and trade to the emirate in addition to e-Services in line with the vision and objectives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The DTCM website was launched in 1996 and the portal's visibility has been enhanced through a link on the Dubai e-Government portal.
Its key features include quick access to information, virtual tours that provide online tour of Dubai's attractions and live cameras.
The e-Complaint facility assists people in the resolution of their grievances against the department, Dubai or Dubai-based establishments with the facility to track the status of complaints online.
In 1999, the department launched online service to allow the visitors to find and reserve rooms at Dubai hotel establishments.
The other innovative feature is the electronic One Stop Information Centre (OSIC) which allows public to obtain vital statistics about Dubai tourism and business sectors.
Photo Gallery, Dubai Locator, Dubai Weather and Calendar of Events and Exhibitions are other attractions on the website.
Visa information, tourist tips and special needs tourism segments are also a big hit with the surfers.
As part of its continuous endeavors to facilitate more growth opportunities and exemplary e-Services for Dubai's fast-expanding tourism industry, the department provided links to the websites of inbound tour operators from its website.
Dubai rapidly-expanding portfolio of 409 hotels and hotel apartments played host to over six million guests in 2005, up by nearly 14 %. Early this year, the department launched the electronic issuance of the Entertainment Activities Permits for the hotels and resorts, sports and leisure clubs and event management organizations.
The department had migrated majority of its procurement activities online via Tejari, the Middle East online marketplace. The department established a wireless connection from its Head Office to Heritage Village, thereby becoming the first government organization to have such a facility.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Janeta Novakovic
Quelle/Source: AME Info, 23.07.2006
