Dubai tourism looks set to boom amid plans to attract 40 million new hotel guests by as early as 2031.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the new national strategy.

He said: “We are among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world and our goal is to accelerate our competitiveness by attracting Dhs100billion in additional tourism investments to this vital sector and receiving 40 million hotel guests in 2031.”

HH Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of tourism to the UAE economy – and hopes the new plan will see the sector’s contribution to GDP rise to Dhs450billion overall.

If that is to be achieved, tourism’s contribution must increase by Dhs27billion annually.

According to the plan, 25 initiatives and policies will be introduced to support tourism.

Investment will also be encouraged in the travel, aviation and hospitality sectors with the hope of attracting international companies.

HH Sheikh Mohammed continued: “Tourism is an important part of diversifying our national economy and an important tributary to consolidating our global competitiveness.

“Our airports received 22 million passengers in the first quarter of this year alone.

“Our goal is that the tourism sector’s contribution will be Dh450bn of our GDP in 2031.”

The UAE has enjoyed a surge in tourism numbers this year, with revenue exceeding Dhs19billion during the first half of 2022.

The total number of hotel guest numbers reached 12 million – a 42 percent increase.

In a Cabinet meeting last week, HH Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our indicators today are stronger than our indicators before the pandemic, and our economic growth is faster than before the pandemic, and our tourism, commercial and development sectors are larger than before the pandemic.”

This was particularly clear in Dubai, where a 182 percent year-on-year increase in international visitors was reported.

And this looks likely to increase dramatically over the coming weeks, too.

Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi expect occupancy levels to rise by 80 to 100 percent, with demand surging due to the proximity to tournament hosts Qatar.

Source: Time Out Dubai

Expo City Dubai on Monday announced a jam-packed calendar of events – including forums, exhibitions, and performances – as it kicks off its one-year countdown to COP28.

Home to the Expo 2020 mega-event for six months last year, the site will hold a sustainability-themed event calendar, culminating activations that will be held over the coming 12 months before the climate conference next year.

COP28 is set to take place from November 6 to 17 next year at the Expo City Dubai site. Like previous editions, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will address global warming and climate change issues.

The state-of-the-art ‘green’ destination Expo City Dubai shares COP28’s objectives of achieving greater sustainability and enabling action to push for a more climate-secure future.

“Tackling climate change remains at the top of the global agenda, a priority for the UAE, and a conversation we are actively engaged in as a city and educational hub. It is clear that every individual must bear the responsibility to learn more about the challenges we face and how we can each play a role to help address them,” said Expo City Dubai’s chief of education and culture, Marjan Faraidooni, adding that the sustainable-centric site was “proud” to host COP28.

The Next Gen World Majlis

The Next Gen World Majlis, an Expo School Program platform for youth to discuss issues that impact all our futures, will make its post-Expo 2020 comeback on 21 November.

A group of students aged between nine and 12 years old, selected from schools across the UAE, will explore the climate crisis, probing who, if anyone, can be held responsible; what should be asked of world leaders; the current role and potential of schools in tackling the crisis; and the risks of inaction.

The event is in line with World Children’s Day, commemorated annually on November 20 to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and the improvement of children’s welfare.

Youth also takes center stage in the return of Expo Young Stars on November 24 and 25 at Al Wasl Plaza, where students will express their thoughts and present an interpretation of climate issues through sustainability-themed performances.

Exciting performances and events

Part of the Expo School Program, the Expo Young Stars performances are open to the public, and attendance is free of charge.

The events will then be followed by the ‘Reflections on Climate Change’ exhibition which will invite visitors to learn about the history of previous COP summits and the goals that were set out, global crises, and initiatives in place to maintain a more sustainable, climate-secure future. Dates for the exhibition will be announced at a later stage.

Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion continues to welcome visitors as it brings Expo City Dubai’s commitment to sustainability to life, taking them on a journey under the ocean or through the forest, and empowering individuals of all nationalities, ages and interests to make more sustainable choices in their own lives.

An example of sustainability in action, Expo City Dubai retains 80 percent of the Expo 2020 site’s built infrastructure, including 123 LEED-certified buildings and eight infrastructure projects rated ‘Excellent’ under CEEQUAL.

“Designed as a blueprint for green urban planning, Expo City Dubai is spearheaded by the same team that delivered one of the most sustainable World Expos in history and rallied all segments of society around topics that matter to humanity,” Faraidooni added.

“Leveraging our signature creative storytelling and expertise as a convener, our diverse programming will engage everyone, regardless of age, background or awareness, in wider efforts to mitigate climate change, building momentum to COP28 and beyond as Expo City continues its journey to net zero.”

Source: AlArabiya News

235 surveillance cameras, 112 dynamic message signs help beat congestion on highways

Dubai’s ‘Intelligent Traffic System’ (ITS) has helped cut travel time on key highways and roads by about 20 per cent. The project has improved incident monitoring by 63 per cent and helped reduce emergency response time by 30 per cent.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), these were made possible thanks to dynamic overhead message signs on roads and linking the authority’s Enterprise Command and Control Centre with the Dubai Police’s Command and Control Centre.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the initial phase of the ITS project expanded coverage of Dubai’s main road network from 11 to 60 per cent. The RTA is now gearing up for the second phase of the project over the next few months, which will cover all the main roads of the emirate. The total length of roads covered by the ITS in Dubai will jump from 480km to 710km.

The initial phase saw upgrading and installing 112 dynamic message signs that relay real-time information to motorists about road conditions such as congestions and incidents. They also transmit messages, guidance, and key tips about traffic safety and event management to enhance the efficiency of traffic management. The signs are located in selected locations along Dubai roads as well as sites leading to mega events. For instance, 623 messages were displayed on signs around Expo 2020 Dubai.

The first phase also involved the installation of traffic monitoring and data capturing systems, including the installation of 116 traffic cameras. This brings the total number of surveillance cameras to 235. Hundred incidents detection and vehicle counting devices were installed, which raises the total number to 235. About 115 transit time and speed computing devices were installed, along with 17 Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS).

“Expanding the ITS coverage is a key element in supporting the government’s drive to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world, which involves the use of smart technologies and software to ease mobility,” said Al Tayer.

The Dubai ITS Centre is one of the largest and most sophisticated traffic control centres worldwide. It manages traffic movement in the emirate using the latest applications of artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things, and communication systems. “It has a whole host of traffic-monitoring devices, information-capturing gadgets, and other smart services. Through ITS, the centre manages current and future road networks all over Dubai,” added Al Tayer.

The centre’s advanced iTraffic system, which is linked with field devices, works under an integrated technology platform to collect and analyse big data. It also supports instant decisions to manage traffic movement, incidents, and mega events.

Works completed also included the construction of a 660-km long fibre-optic network for communication between on-site devices and central systems. The total length of the optical fibre network is now 820km.

The project also included upgrading the software of the advanced central traffic system that supports decision-making and provides an automatic response line. The central system integrates with field devices, analyses the data received, and activates appropriate plans.

Source: Khaleej Times

Dubai has retained its number one spot in the Middle East and North Africa and improved its position globally in a key index that reflects the self-reinforcing strength of the world’s leading global cities in 2022.

Dubai, which improved its global ranking to 22 from 23 in the Global Cities Index (GCI), has demonstrated growth in business activity, human capital and political engagement through 2022 while Abu Dhabi jumped a spot up on the global rankings owing to increased business activity and political engagement, according to the Index compiled by a global consulting firm Kearney.

The GCI’s rankings of the top cities in 2022 reflect the self-reinforcing strength of the world’s leading global cities. The top four cities on the list — New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo — are unchanged from 2021.

Dubai tops the region in Cultural Experience, which is one of the most fluid and difficult-to-quantify categories within the GCI. While Riyadh has recorded a 46-point increase in rankings, the highest jump in the category globally, the FIFA World Cup host city, Doha, noted a 17-point jump in the category, and held a firm lead in the Mena region in sporting events.

Current conditions

Kearney’s report looks at the current conditions of cities and the investments they are making in their futures in GCI and Global Cities Outlook (GCO). While the GCI is a picture of the present, the GCO is a forecast of the future.

The GCI assesses how globally engaged cities are across five dimensions: business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. The GCO, on the other hand, examines how cities are creating the conditions for future status as major global players.

In terms of GCO, Abu Dhabi held its ranking in the top 10, landing at number nine globally. The outlook for Dubai also improved five places to land at number 11 overall, creeping closer to breaking into the top 10. The outlook for Doha has been overwhelmingly positive. The report suggests a 23-point jump bolstered by strong governance in the country, the highest jump in the category in the region.

Around the world, higher-than-expected inflation, the ongoing economic and political impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the escalating effects of climate change, have resulted in intensifying pressures on the world’s largest urban centres.

The global management consultants noted that adaptation and proactive change are required to ensure cities remain capable of offering unique value to the companies and communities that call them home.

“Cities around the world have shown declining scores on the Index over the last six years—an indication of de-globalization that predates the pandemic. This year, while indicators of business activity and human capital have softened across the globe, the Mena region has displayed promise. In the Middle East, governments have been proactively setting targets for socio-economic development for years now, and it is this prudent, systemic strategy that has shaped their positive futures,” said Abdo Al Habr, Kearney partner, Public Sector in the Middle East.

Positive moves

According to the report, the Middle East as a region, after many close years vying with China, has overtaken the country in the Cultural Experience dimension of the GCI, now converging with Asia Pacific. “This can be attributed to the region’s continued efforts. Even through the pandemic, the region hosted some iconic global events which have resulted in increased local and international tourism.

The UAE was home to Expo 2020, which brought together 24 million visitors while Qatar is hosting the World Cup later this year. Saudi Arabia has also noted a rapid expansion of tourism since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s National Culture Strategy in 2019,” said the report.

Rudolph Lohmeyer, Kearney Partner, National Transformations Institute, said that in the coming year, city leaders will have to prioritize their efforts and investments even more ruthlessly than in the past as they navigate what is likely to be an exceptionally challenging economic storm.

“Leaders will need to drive policy innovation to protect their most economically vulnerable residents and attract highest priority employers while ensuring fiscal sustainability. The tools to do so are out there, but they must be championed from the top.”

Source: Khaleej Times

Kenya is keen to cement its position as a world travel destination as the World Travel Awards move to the global stage in Muscat, Oman, next month. This is after sweeping up to 25 awards in the just concluded Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Nairobi, on October 15, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The hosts–KICC was among the biggest winners having been voted Africa’s leading meetings and conference venue for the fourth year running.

Nairobi also retained its position as Africa’s leading business travel destination.

According to KICC chief executive Nana Gecaga, WTA coming to Kenya for the second time was a show of confidence in the destination, and that the hospitality and travel industry is back.

“We have been able to bring back the glory, positioning KICC as a leading meetings and conference venue,” Gecaga who has been at the help of KICC for the last seven years, said.

KICC has been closely working with the hotel industry to host major conferences, with both the service and meetings businesses reaping big from top dollar spending by visitors.

It is estimated that every international delegate spends at least Sh376,000 per conference trip of about three to six days, reflecting the huge potential MICE holds for the economy.

“Apart from MICE, beach and Safari, Kenya also has huge potential in medical, sports, education tourism among other offerings,” Gecaga said.

KICC will be seeking to be voted the World’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre in the November 11 grand gala.

Nairobi has been listed among nominees for the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination and Leading City Destinations categories, as the country features in at least 30 categories featuring airport facilities, airlines, conservancies, hotels and safari companies.

Top on the list among local companies is Twiga Tours, one of the oldest companies in the tours and travel business in Kenya.

Founded in 1980, the firm prides itself on offering highly personalised African Safari experiences in Kenya and the East Africa region.

During last week’s Nairobi gala, it won Africa’s Responsible Tourism Award and Kenya’s Leading Luxury Safari Company, setting it for the global stage.

“To have been nominated for the World’s Responsible Tourism Company and the World’s Leading Safari Company is in itself a huge recognition of our ethical service and warm Kenyan hospitality,” the company’s CEO Minaz Manji told the Star.

“We always strive to create and set high standards in the hospitality sector and this will always be our focus. Africa and particularly Kenya can be mighty proud of our nominations irrespective of the final results,” he added.

Also going to the global stage after Nairobi wins is the Kenya Tourism Board which will be seeking the World’s Leading Tourist Board.

Pollman’s has been nominated for the World’s Leading Tour Operator 2022, after being named Kenya’s Leading Destination Management Company 2022.

Pollman’s Group Operations Director and seasoned hotelier Mohammed Hersi said: “Kenya’s tourism and travel is looking good. The future looks bright.”

Baobab Beach Resort which runs three luxurious properties – The Baobab, The Maridadi, and Kole Kole retained its position as Kenya’s Leading Family Resort 2022 and has been nominated for the World’s Leading Family Resort award.

Other nominees are Port of Mombasa (World’s Leading Cruise Port), Kenya Airports Authority (World’s Leading Airport Operator), Four Point by Sheraton-Nairobi Airport (leading airport hotel), while Leopard Beach Resort’s Residences has been nominated for the World’s Leading Hotel Residences.

Swahili Beach Reasort has been nominated for the World’s Leading Beach Resort, Manda Bay in Lamu (leading private island resort), Angama Mara (world leading safari lodge), Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (world leading hotel) among other nominees.

Kenya as a country has been nominated as the World’s Leading Destination and World Leading Safari Destination, battling it out with Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

During the Nairobi gala last week, WTA founder and president Graham Cooke termed Kenya as a gem with unique travel and tourism products and features.

“You have an amazing country. Kenya is uniquely positioned…it is a hub and in the world’s tourism map,” Cooke said.

With the destination angling for post-Covid-19 recovery, Kenya is keen to bounce back with international arrivals this year expected to reach 1.4 million.

This is up from 870, 467 recorded in full year 2021, which was a growth from 567. 848 arrivals in 2020, a year that the industry took a beating from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Total arrivals for the eight months to August were 924,812, up from 483, 246 same period last year.

The United States remained the leading international market source.

Uganda had the second most arrivals, mainly visiting for business, followed by the UK, Tanzania, India, Germany, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia and France closing the top ten list.

Source: The Star

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)’s first official Gastronomy Report has published figures that say just two percent of the city’s restaurants should be classed as fine-dining establishments.

It means of the 13,000 F&B outlets in the emirate, 260 are considered fine-dining venues.

The figures come from researchers JLL, which says there are 340 fine-dining restaurants in the entire country.

In it, it confirmed the emirate is home to 13,000 restaurants and cafes.

It also cited data from JLL, which said that 80 percent of the 340 fine-dining restaurants in the UAE are in the UAE. This means there are 272 fine-dining restaurants in Dubai.

There’s no description or qualification for what JLL or the Gastronomy report classes as a fine-dining outlet, but it does say that this proportion is largely due to demand for fine dining options from international visitors to the city that also drive demand for casual dining and social and drinking options, underlining the expansive range and richness of brands offering such experiences across Dubai.

The inaugural Gault & Millau UAE guide, which focuses on fine-dining outlets, features 130 restaurants.

The study, which surveyed 16,000-plus respondents worldwide, concluded that Dubai ranked ahead of leading tourism peers Singapore and Istanbul for the variety of restaurants on offer, highlighting how the city’s F&B offering has dramatically evolved in recent years to cater for the diverse palates of its international visitors and foreign residents that hail from more than 200 countries.

The gastronomy guide includes Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Jumeirah, DIFC, Karama, Dubai Motor City and Dubai Studio City.

Source: Travel and Tour World

Dubai is courting travellers from Kenya with medical tourism, flexible visa rules and diverse products even as it targets 25 million visitors by 2025.

Speaking exclusively to the Star during the final leg of the multi-city roadshow in Nairobi, director of International Operations for the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Stella Ibiene asked travel agents to take advantage of the whole package.

“We have extended the roadshow beyond tourism to showcase the competitive advantage Dubai has over other destinations. From rich cultural values to a top-notch health system,” Ibiene said.

She added that over 40 firms ranging from hotels, hospitals, attractions, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and other stakeholders in the Dubai tourism ecosystem have been showcased in Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and now Kenya.

The expo is coming back after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic that almost crippled the global hospitality and tourism sectors.

According to her, Kenya is among the top tourist markets for Dubai, adding that the destination has diverse products targeting travelers from all economic brackets.

”Dubai has affordable hotels, shopping malls and other packages cutting across social classes, from the top, middle and bottom of the economic pyramid,” she said.

It is perhaps for this reason that the country maintained the highest hotel booking globally in the first five months of the year.

The United Arab Emirates city was ranked as the best global destination in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022.

This is also attributed to the urge to drive, establish, maintain and show its safe, open, and accessible system.

The latest tourism figures from DET show that overall, Dubai hotels maintained an average occupancy level of 76 per cent from January to May 2022.

According to data from hotel management analytics firm STR, Dubai ranked the best globally in hotel occupancy, ahead of other international destinations including New York (61 per cent), London (60 per cent) and Paris (57 per cent), for the January-April 2022 period.

Her sentiments are echoed by Mida Travel World’s boss Jithin Hassan who calls on travelers to take advantage of friendly visa rules between UAE and Kenya to sample Dubai’s exotic hospitality.

In July, UAE granted Kenyans an extension of their tourist visas to six months from the current one month.

Speaking to the media, the Foreign Trade Minister in UAE, Than’ Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, stated that the move would enhance trade relations and enable more Kenyans to make a mark in the Gulf country.

He added that the new development would take effect at a date to be announced by the government.

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) chief executive Agnes Mucuha urged members to explore beyond holidaying to grab health and other opportunities for their clients.

”Travelers are looking for added value. Dubai is offering just that, adding that the demand for the destination has been on the rise in the past five years,” Mucuha said.

Mohamed Xehia from Dubai Health Authority on his part called on those traveling for medication to take advantage of competitive rates and the best facilities.

Source: The star

Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), in continuation of its ongoing activities in Africa has released dates for its East Africa roadshow, with the Kenyan edition to be held on September 22.

The roadshow will highlight Dubai’s affordable experiences and the diversity of the city’s offerings to key travel partners. Highlights of the roadshow span across travel, hospitality, entertainment and Dubai’s citywide events, with a focus on leisure, family travel, education and medical tourism.

Key elements of the event will include breakout network sessions, partner presentations, one-on-one meetings, and medical facility updates.

Dubai, being known for its continuous drive to establish, maintain and show its safe, open, and accessible system, has seen Dubai ranked as the No.1 global destination in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022.

The new tourism figures from DET show that overall, Dubai hotels maintained an average occupancy level of 76Pct from January to May 2022.

According to data from hotel management analytics firm STR, Dubai ranked No.1 globally in hotel occupancy, ahead of other international destinations including New York (61Pct), London (60Pct) and Paris (57Pct), for the January to April 2022 period.

Despite a 45-day shutdown of one of Dubai International Airport’s two runways for maintenance, the number of travellers utilising the airport nearly quadrupled during the second quarter. The world’s busiest international airport handled 14.2 million passengers in the three months to the end of June, up almost 191 percent year on year, continuing growth for nine straight quarters since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, state-owned operator Dubai Airports said on Wednesday.

The airport’s resurgence, which serves as the hub for long-haul carrier Emirates, coincides with a robust rebound in foreign traffic. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international traffic increased by approximately 230 percent year on year in June, aided by the relaxation of travel restrictions in most Asia-Pacific regions. Passenger volumes more than doubled to 27.9 million in the first half of the year, according to Dubai Airports, compared to the same period last year. This is 1.2 million fewer than the previous year’s total annual traffic at the airport.

The airport exceeded 67.5 percent of its pre-pandemic passenger throughput in the first half of 2019. Despite “unprecedented challenges” and “macroeconomic factors” affecting the global economy and tourism sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) reported 7.12 million international visitors in the first half of 2022, nearly three times the 2.52 million recorded in the same period the previous year.

Dubai Airports now anticipates 62.4 million passengers in 2022, up from an earlier figure of 58.3 million in May. DXB remained India’s leading source country in terms of passenger counts, with traffic hitting 4 million passengers in the first half of the year, fueled mostly by key metropolitan destinations such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Saudi Arabia came in second with 2 million passengers, followed by the United Kingdom with 1.9 million.

The top three destinations were London (1.3 million passengers), Riyadh (910,000 passengers), and Mumbai (760,000 passengers). Despite the disruption, huge queues, and delayed luggage at major European and American airports, DXB stated that 96% of travelers waited less than five minutes at the exit passport control.

The average wait time at the security checkpoint on departure was less than three minutes for 97 percent of all passengers. Cargo volumes for the first six months of the year declined roughly 19% year on year to 910,075 tonnes in the air freight market. According to Dubai Airports, DXB’s cargo traffic suffered during the second quarter as major freight operators returned to Dubai World Central (DWC) in March.

Furthermore, overall cargo volumes were impacted by a lower capacity during the northern runway restoration operation, which ran from May 9 to June 22, because a large amount of cargo traffic at DXB is carried in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft, according to the report.

Source: WION

Dubai attracted 7.12 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2022, recording more than 183% growth in visitors compared to the 2.52 million tourists who visited Dubai during the same period in 2021, according to latest data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

This positive trend in H1 2022 places the city firmly on track to achieve its tourism goals for 2022 and beyond, and further reinforces its position as an international destination of choice.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the city of the future and the world’s best place to live, work and invest in has resulted in a resurgence of Dubai’s tourism sector. The growth in tourists reflects the resilience and dynamism of the emirate’s economy. His Highness’s vision has helped Dubai create a strong and stable economic foundation and a dynamic business ecosystem, enabling it to become a leading global hub for diverse sectors. The rapid rise in international tourist arrivals puts Dubai on track to achieve its ambitious target of becoming the world’s most visited destination. In the years ahead, Dubai will continue to develop itself further as a destination that offers compelling value to international travellers.”

The number of tourists recorded in H1 2022 was close to the numbers achieved in the first six months of 2019, which saw 8.36 million tourists arriving in Dubai. The emirate’s ability to quickly return to near pre-pandemic tourism levels is even more remarkable given the impact of unprecedented challenges and other macroeconomic factors on the global economy and tourism sector.

Regional market share

From a regional perspective, Western Europe accounted for a significant share of tourist arrivals, comprising 22% of total international visitors in the first six months of 2022. MENA and GCC continued to make an impact, collectively contributing 34% of total international visitors and highlighting Dubai’s strong appeal to visitors from surrounding markets as a trusted and preferred destination. These regions were followed closely by South Asia with a share of 16% and Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe together accounting for 11% of total visitors in H1 2022.

The wide geographic spread reflects Dubai’s diversified strategy aimed at driving traffic from a broad spectrum of countries and visitor segments, mitigating the risks associated with over-reliance on any one region, and underscoring the success of destination marketing campaigns delivering customized messaging across specialized audience-specific platforms.

World’s highest hotel occupancy levels

The wide range of hotel establishments in Dubai presented yet another stellar performance across all hospitality metrics during the first half of 2022.

Average occupancy for the hotel sector between January and June 2022 stood at 74%, one of the world’s highest, compared to 62% in H1 2021, a difference of 12 percentage points and just short of the 76% occupancy level registered during the pre-pandemic period of H1 2019.

This is particularly noteworthy as it was achieved in spite of a +19% increase in room capacity over the same period in 2019. Dubai’s hotel inventory by the end of June 2022 comprised 140,778 rooms open at 773 hotel establishments, compared to 118,345 rooms available at the end of June 2019 across 714 establishments. Meanwhile, the total number of hotels in H1 2022 marked an 8% growth over H1 2021, highlighting continued strong investor confidence in Dubai’s tourism sector.

The hotel sector outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all other key measurements – Occupied Room Nights, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR). Dubai hotel establishments delivered a combined 18.47million occupied room nights during the first six months of the year, a +30.4% YoY growth, and a +18% increase over the pre-pandemic period of H1 2019, which yielded 15.71 million occupied room nights.

In addition, the ADR of AED567 in the first half of the year surpassed the ADRs for both H1 2021 (AED382) and 2019 (AED444), with 48.5% and 28% YoY growth, respectively. The robust performance of the hotel sector is also evident in RevPAR growth – a surge of over 76% compared to the first six months of 2021 (AED417 v AED237) and an increase of 24% over the pre-pandemic period in 2019 (RevPAR of AED336).

According to hotel analytics firm STR, Dubai ranks No.3 globally on RevPAR (US$147), after Paris (US$195) and New York (US$172).

Dubai’s enduring global appeal

The latest data demonstrate Dubai’s enduring appeal as a must-visit destination, further validating Dubai’s ranking as the No.1 global destination in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022. It also remains one of the most sought-after cities for international travel, business and events at a time when the majority of global destinations have reopened for tourism.

The highly encouraging industry performance is primarily attributed to the hugely successful six-month long Expo 2020 Dubai, which attracted over 24 million visits by the time it concluded on 31 March this year, as well as the continued support extended by both domestic and global partners in showcasing Dubai as a multi-faceted destination that is safe, open and accessible.

A host of festivals, leisure and business events, including the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Gulfood, and the Dubai World Cup. The World Government Summit, Binance Blockchain Week, Dubai Desert Classic, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Gulfood, Dubai International Boat Show and the Arabian Travel Market also contributed to the growth.

Global campaigns take Dubai to the world

Apart from the host of global gatherings and events showcasing the diversity of the destination’s offering, Dubai continues to engage global audiences through international campaigns and in-market trade activities that highlight it as a destination of choice. This includes the ‘Dubai Presents’ campaign, which promotes the city’s attractions through a series of movie-style trailers featuring stars from both Hollywood and Bollywood.

Marketing activities in key international markets have also been enhanced to showcase the city as the summer destination of choice, particularly through a rewarding ‘Stay More, Pay Less’ summer campaign to attract travelers and families to Dubai, in addition to driving traffic to the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises festival.

Source: Government of Dubai Media Office