Data published by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) also showed the number of guest nights rose by 23 percent to more than 33 million last year.

Revenues also grew by 20 percent to touch AED16bn ($4.36bn) as the emirate managed to withstand any impact from regional unrest.

The data also showed that the average length of stay swelled 12 percent to 3.6 days as visitors chose Dubai over trouble-hit alternatives such as Egypt and Bahrain.

The hotel group said the largest number of hotels under development was part of its "strategy of ambitious growth".

According to the latest STR Global research, the company's expansion programme makes up 11.5 percent of the entire MEA hotel pipeline and, with 15,000 rooms under development, Hilton Worldwide is 50 percent ahead of its nearest rival.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa, said: "Hilton Worldwide's unwavering momentum in seeking out practical and productive partners and properties in Middle East & Africa is setting the regional pace and return for the company.