Dubai reported an increase in its global traffic in 2011 of 9.6 percent to just over 9 million visitors, with 5.6 percent and more than 462,653 from the U.S., continuing a trend of steady 5 to 10 percent annual growth as Dubai evolves from the status of a stopover destination for travelers visiting the Middle East to a hub that attracts visitors for longer stays as well. After the first quarter of 2012, the U.S. is Dubai’s fourth-largest source market, with a 7.5 percent increase from last year’s first quarter.

Dubai’s airline, Emirates, will expand its number of nonstop flights in the U.S. in September with the inauguration of service to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. In January 2013, Emirates will expand the capacity of its daily service from New York JFK by changing to the larger A-380 aircraft. The expansion of service follows the start of two new flight routes with direct service out of Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle/Tacoma international airports in the first quarter of 2012.