Dubai: Dubai's hotels accommodated 1.89 million tourists and generated Dh4.26 billion in revenues in the first quarter of this year, a five per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2008, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said in a statement on Wednesday.

The number of operating hotels and hotel apartments rose to 519 in the first quarter this year, up from 475 during the corresponding period in 2008.

The hotel capacity reached 40,864 rooms in the first quarter of 2009, up by 17 per cent from the same period in 2008, at a time when the global travel and tourism industry has taken a hit due to the financial crisis.

Khalid Bin Sulayem, director-general of DTCM, said: "The performance of Dubai's hotel establishments in the first quarter comes on the back of a strong 2008 performance and confirms the emirate's solid standing on the world tourism map. Our promotional and marketing agenda is on the right track."

Georges Mousa, chairman of the Planet Group, told Gulf News, "We have witnessed growth in arrivals from Germany and China. With a diversified portfolio and a balanced business model, the industry can withstand the pressure."

Last year, Dubai hotels hosted 7.5 million guests, an increase of 8.3 per cent compared with 2007.