Things are looking up for DXB Entertainments, after the operator reported more than 1.4 million visitors to Dubai Parks and Resorts in the first half 2018 – an increase of more than 46 per cent year-on-year.

The operator reported more than 612,000 visits in its second quarter, compared to 414,000 in the same period last year. April was the peak month for DXB, with 300,000 visits driven by the international school calendar. In the first quarter, the park welcomed 851,000 visitors.

The rise in attendance was matched by a rise in hotel occupancy, with Dubai Parks and Resorts' Lapita Hotel increasing occupancy by 55 per cent in the first half of the year. This was a significant increase, with overall occupancy for the same period in 2017 at 24 per cent.

“We are pleased to announce continued year on year growth in our visitor and hotel occupancy numbers," said Mohamed Almulla, CEO and managing director of DXB Entertainments.

"The first half of 2018 demonstrates that Dubai Parks and Resorts is on a clear growth trajectory. We remain confident in our growth potential as we progress through our first full year of operations."

DXB introduced cost-cutting measures in 2017 as company losses widened to US$305m (€246.9m, £219.2m) – more than double that of its launch year in 2016. As part of a restructuring, it split is business into three distinct sections – theme parks, family entertainment centres, and retail and hospitality. Each division is now led by a regional industry specialist with proven management experience.