How Dubai Airshow showed aviation is flying high again

The Dubai Airshow, a bellwether for the global aviation industry’s health, showcased the sector’s strong return to growth following the Covid-19 pandemic as airlines sealed multibillion-dollar deals for jets and signalled their confidence in the longevity of air travel demand.

The biennial global aerospace exhibition, which ended on Friday, was heaving with visitors throughout the week, as more than 115,000 people attended.

Global aircraft manufacturers secured deals, reconnected with customers at crowded chalets overlooking the DWC airport apron and expressed optimism about the continued growth of the industry.

This was all despite the headwinds of geopolitics, higher fuel prices, inflationary pressures, supply-chain bottlenecks and economic uncertainty – though these were also key topics of discussion at the industry event.

If the 2021 Dubai Airshow demonstrated signs of recovery from the pandemic, which brought the worst crisis in the industry’s history, then this year’s event highlighted its resilient return to sustainable growth.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, summed up this sentiment at the Dubai Airshow gala dinner on Thursday night.

“We’re back!” he proclaimed to a gathering of the aviation industry’s elite, attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

“The emotional heart of this fabulous industry here in the UAE beats more strongly and more optimistically than ever before,” said Mr. Griffiths.

The Dubai Airshow’s host airline Emirates, along with its sister carrier flydubai, led the orders for commercial jets and underlined the recovery in the wide-body aircraft market, as long-haul travel makes a strong comeback.

Emirates ordered 110 aircraft worth $58 billion at list prices, while flydubai ordered 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner wide-bodies valued at $11 billion. Customers typically get significant discounts, particularly for large orders.

Flydubai’s surprise order for 787s marks the first time it has introduced wide-bodies to its fleet.

The Dreamliners will give the airline the ability to reach markets beyond the range of its current all-Boeing fleet of 737 narrow-bodies.

“It gives us big opportunities,” airline chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith told reporters.

“The airline is now nearly 15 years old, the 787 will be delivered in 2026 and by then we will be 18 years old.

“At that stage the airline would reach a point of maturity and we can grow in more markets.

“In terms of flight movements, we have great confidence.

“In our experience in flydubai, we flew to several points where we created demand to Dubai and people came. Dubai and the UAE are attractive markets and we have great confidence that any market we operate with the 787 will add positive value to Dubai and to the country.”

The two UAE carriers dominated the air expo with their order splash.

“The Dubai Airshow 2023 signifies a significant step in the aviation industry’s return to growth, following the initial recovery signals sent by the 2021 edition,” Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of Bauer Aviation Advisory, told The National.

“The 2023 show demonstrated a robust resurgence in industry confidence, marked by numerous high-value aircraft deals, cutting-edge technological showcases and a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.”

While the highlights were the deals by Emirates and flydubai, a “number of interesting orders from other airlines including Air Baltic and EgyptAir [gave] the show a broadly upbeat and optimistic tone”, said John Strickland, head of UK-based JLS Consulting.

The most significant deals

Boeing overtook its European rival Airbus with the biggest haul of aircraft orders at the Dubai Airshow this week, mainly due to its historically stronger portfolio of wide-body jets that are popular with major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

The US plane maker surged ahead with firm orders for 214 aircraft including its 777X, 737 Max and 787 Dreamliners, with options for up to 83 additional jets.

While Emirates and flydubai made up the lion’s share of these deals, other Boeing customers at the airshow included SunExpress, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, Scat Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir.

“We believe that the volume of orders that have been placed with us this week is testament to the value that our airline partners put on Boeing’s advanced engineering and systems capabilities, and also a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver the [aircraft] that they require to serve their customers for decades to come,” Omar Arekat, Boeing’s vice president of commercial sales and marketing in the Middle East, told The National.

“The future of aviation is brighter than ever.”

Airbus, meanwhile, left the air show with firm orders for 66 aircraft including 15 A350-900s by Emirates, 11 A350-900s by Ethiopian Airlines, 10 A350-900s by EgyptAir and 30 A220-300s by Air Baltic.

The European plane maker secured the deal with Emirates for the A350-900s in the last minute on the penultimate day of the Dubai Airshow, three days after Boeing made big announcements at the opening of the expo.

The order came after differences between Emirates and engine-maker Rolls-Royce stood in the way of a deal for the larger A350-1000 model at the Dubai Airshow.

The airline was seeking guarantees from the UK manufacturer on the maintenance cost of the engines for the A350-1000 and their performance in harsh desert conditions.

Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB-84 powers the smaller A350-900s, while the Trent XWB-97 engines powers the A350-1000s.

Meanwhile, General Electric’s aerospace unit said it won new orders for 454 engines during the Dubai Airshow. This includes Emirates order of 202 additional GE9X engines to power its 777X aircraft and 240 CFM LEAP engines for Air Arabia to power the carrier’s order of 120 Airbus A320neo family of aircraft ordered in 2019.

Source: The National News

Dubai hotel bookings surge ahead of Cop28 and Dubai Airshow

Dubai hotels are experiencing a “noticeable jump” in occupancy reservations as the emirate gears up to accommodate visitors for global events, according to data by CoStar Group, the parent company of hotel analytics provider STR.

The emirate will host several global events in the coming weeks that are expected to attract an influx of international visitors to the city.

These include the Dubai Airshow on November 13, the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels on November 20 and the Cop28 UN climate summit at the end of the month.

As of October 30, occupancy on the books for the Dubai Airshow (November 13-17) was 58.3 per cent and 59.1 per cent for November 15 and November 16, respectively, according to CoStar.

In comparison, occupancy levels for those dates last year were 54.7 per cent and 53.1 per cent, respectively.

“As one of the most popular and prominent commercial aviation events in the world, the Dubai Airshow has always been a great demand source for Dubai hotels,” said Kostas Nikolaidis, STR’s account executive for Middle East and Africa.

“There is a plethora of top-tier events on the Dubai calendar year after year, and the air show is no exception.”

The UN summit Cop28, which runs from November 30 to December 12, is expected to bring more than 70,000 visitors to the emirate from around the world. Global leaders will meet in Dubai to tackle the escalating climate emergency during the conference.

Dubai showed its highest December occupancy on the books for December 1 (43.7 per cent), and December 2 (44.2 per cent) – the second and third days of Cop28, CoStar data showed.

Comparing with the same period in the previous year, the metrics were lower, standing at 30.8 per cent and 29.4 per cent, respectively.

“Cop28 combined with UAE National Day [December 2] and other events taking place during the busy winter period will ensure the city is buzzing with activity,” Mr. Nikolaidis said.

“Over 40 per cent of all hotel rooms are already booked for the first few days of Cop as well as New Year’s Eve.”

Hoteliers are expecting to see a similar pattern emerge on New Year’s Eve, traditionally a busy night for the industry in Dubai.

Dubai International Airport raised its full-year 2023 passenger forecast in August to 85 million, from an earlier projection of 83.6 million, and is inching towards its pre-coronavirus levels.

Dubai International Airport is connected to 255 destinations in 104 countries and serves 90 international airlines.

The number of international visitors to Dubai exceeded the pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels in the first half of 2023 as the emirate’s hospitality and tourism sector posted a record performance.

International visits to Dubai rose 20 per cent on an annual basis in the January to June period, the Dubai Media Office said in August, citing the latest data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

The emirate welcomed 8.55 million international visitors during the period, the best first-half performance yet, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 8.36 million tourists in the first half of 2019.

In Dubai, hotels’ revenue per available room (RevPar) growth is forecast at 1.6 per cent year on year for 2023, according to Kelsey Fenerty, analytics manager at STR.

This growth has been largely driven by occupancy, which is expected to return to its long-run average this year even as the full-year average daily rate (ADR) has declined relative to 2022, she said previously.

For 2024, STR projects Dubai hotels’ RevPar growth of 1.9 per cent year over year, with growth more balanced between occupancy and ADR, Ms. Fenerty said.

Source: The National News

Dubai considerably goes up in world’s safest tourist destination rankings

Dubai ranked 24th among the safest distinguished tourist destinations in the world, according to a classification prepared by the Insider Monkey website.

The website said that when it comes to distinguished tourist destinations, it is difficult to beat Dubai, as everything in the city, from cars and hotels to resorts and beaches, is pulsing with activity and life. The police in the city drive cars such as McLaren and Aston Martin, and it is also home to the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, which is 828 meters high and has 163 floors.

Other places worth visiting in Dubai include its three artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, and Palm Jebel Ali.

Hokkaido ranked first in the world, followed by Hawaii in second place, then Ibiza in third place.

In a related context, Burj Khalifa ranked first in the world for the second time in a row in achieving the largest amount of revenue from ticket sales in the world in 2023, outperforming the world’s famous landmarks, according to the American Bounce website for luggage management services.

According to estimates, Burj Khalifa ticket sales in 2023 are expected to reach more than $748 million (Dhs2.74 billion), compared to $622 million in 2022.

The website said that the results of the analysis depended on a variety of factors, including annual visitor numbers, entrance prices, TripAdvisor tourism website reviews, Instagram posts, and more.

Source: Gulf Today

Not Just Dubai – UAE Focuses on All 7 Emirates for Tourism

The UAE’s minister of economy has said the country’s tourism advisory board is working on new packages that promote travel in all seven emirates. For years, tourism in the UAE has been centered in Dubai, home to Emirates Airline, the world’s biggest mall and a string of ultra-luxury hotels.

Capital city Abu Dhabi attracts tourism largely with its cultural offerings, such as the Louvre Museum, while Ras Al Khaimah focuses on nature tourism and corporate events. The other emirates, however, do not get as much attention.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri is now looking to change that. The minister revealed to state news agency WAM, that the Emirates Tourism Council has formulated a “tourist route” within the UAE that connects its seven emirates. This, according to the minister, is part of an even grander vision to promote cross-GCC travel as you would see with travelers hopping across Europe.

“This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP through increased inter-GCC travel and elevated hotel occupancy rates, transforming the GCC into a pre-eminent global destination for both regional and international tourists,” the UAE minister said.

Al Marri revealed that the unified GCC visa will roll out either next year or in 2025. When it does, it will introduce a “new flow of international tourists” to the region.

Last September, Al Marri gave updates on this development during a conference in Abu Dhabi. “What’s good for Saudi is good for the GCC,” he said at the conference. “If the tide comes up, it pulls up all the boats.”

This new visa comes under the banner of the “Gulf Strategy for Tourism 2023-2030,” which ministers also said is in the works. The meeting also looked into the establishment of a GCC Tourism Statistics Platform.

Source: Skift

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism builds AI engagement platform

As part of its ultimate aim of making the UAE’s leading city the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has partnered with customer experience solutions provider Avaya to build out an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform that will streamline the creation of business licenses in the emirate of Dubai.

The initiative with Avaya will support efforts towards realising the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, of doubling the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade and consolidating its position among the top three global cities. It will help digitise the process of business licence applications, using AI to solve the most common pain points in the journey, and providing instant digital access to experts on demand.

Dubai’s DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. The DET portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).  

DET is mandated to support the government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade.

Under its remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become “the world’s best city to live and work in” by promoting a diverse destination proposition that it says includes unique lifestyle and a high quality of life.

The digital-first solution customised for DET’s requirements will aim to deliver an integrated experience between customers and DET advisors across a range of digital channels. An intelligent chatbot, fed by an advanced knowledge management system, will deliver self-service tools designed to automate the most common service requests for both internal and external users.

“Our goal is to position Dubai as a global centre for business, investment and tourism, and we are doing this by supporting the evolution of the city through supportive tourism initiatives and future-proof economic programmes,” said Ahmed Al Falasi, CEO of Dubai Business Licensing Corporation, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. “The adoption of this new customer contact platform will streamline the delivery of business licences in Dubai, making the emirate an even more attractive destination for economic activity in line with the D33 agenda.”

Avaya communications technology will also look to help DET adopt a digital-first approach to customer happiness, giving Dubai investors direct access to advisors over video from anywhere in the world. Finally, an advanced, AI-enabled analytics tools will enable DET to identify problem areas in the customer journey and enable managers to act quickly on solving them.

“DET is a best-in-class organisation that is investing heavily in the future, and going about it in the right way,” added Nidal Abou-Ltaif, senior vice-president – global head of sales at Avaya, and president of Avaya International. “By taking a staged approach to innovation, DET will be able to automate key points in the customer journey, before delivering a fully AI-powered suite of services that will transform experiences in the business set-up process. We’re proud to support DET as the organisation moves towards its D33 goals.”

Source: Computer weekly

Morocco Tourist Sites Reopen One Month After Earthquake 

Multiple historic sites in Marrakech were reopened to tourists on Sunday, a month after a devastating earthquake hit Morocco and took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. The reopened sites include Bahia Palace, Badi Palace, and the Saadian Tombs, reported Morocco World News.

Morocco is also hosting a large conference this week: The 2023 World Bank and IMF annual meeting. It is the highest-profile event Morocco has hosted so far, said Siham Fettouhi, Morocco Tourism Office Director for USA and Canada.

“We’ve been hosting more and more events every year, and the proof of that is that annual conference, we’re talking about more than 14,000 people coming into Marrakech this week,” said Fettouhi.Top of Form

Some parts of the areas affected by the earthquake remained closed to the public. “There’s a few locations that are not open to the public now in Marrakech because of what happened in the mountains more than in Marrakech itself,” said Fettouhi.

That hasn’t stopped tourism to Morocco. “People are still coming. People do understand that it’s an earthquake. It’s not a virus or something else that people don’t understand,” she said.

Morocco’s has been having a strong tourism trajectory this year. Between January and August, Morocco welcomed 10.2 million travelers. The country may exceed its pre-pandemic level of 13 million this year, said Fettouhi.

The Moroccan government aims to attract 17.5 million tourists and $12 billion in revenue by 2026. Between 2023 and 2025, Morocco’s government will be investing $2.7 billion in tourism, which will include hotels, airports, training and roads, said Fetthoui.

A big portion of the investment is going toward training to serve different markets. The country has seen strong growth from markets like India, China, South Korea and the U.S.

Over the past few decades, Morocco has become a unique destination with a variety of offerings, from ancient ruins to cultural experiences to trekking in the Atlas Mountains, according to multiple tour operators.

“More recently, Morocco has become a destination of choice – it used to be more of an add-on,” said Michael Edwards, Managing Director, Explore Worldwide. In the past, travelers used to pair Morocco with trips to Spain or France and focus on mostly on culture tours.

The government has added 1800 km in highway infrastructure to make more destinations accessible. In the past, it took travelers “hours and hours” to drive from Rabat to Marrakech. Now, it’s a two-hour drive.

The country has excellent infrastructure for circuit tours, said Kelly Torrens, vice president of product for Kensington Tours. “The quality of the guiding and the accommodation is great in Morocco,” she said.

The country has over 286,000 hotels beds – 10 years ago, it had 200,000.

What kicked off Morocco’s trajectory was an aviation agreement the country signed with the European Union in 2006, said Fettouhi. Under the agreement, EU and Moroccan airlines could operate routes between any EU airport and Morocco without capacity restrictions.

Since the agreement, the number of airlines servicing Morocco grew from 24 to 61 between 2004 and 2019. Total weekly flights rose from 400 in 2000 to 1,521 in 2019. Total international cities connected to Morocco’s airports rose from 48 to 153 between 2004 and 2019.

International travel to Morroco has exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Over 11 million international travelers flew through Morocco in the first half of 2023, up 7% from 10.2 million in 2019, according to Morocco Airports Authority. “Pretty much every airport in the country is busier than it was in 2019, and by a lot,” said Skift Airline Weekly Senior Editor Jay Shabat.

Source: Skift

Dubai’s tourism surge ‘is reflection of strong economy’

Dubai’s tourism sector is predicted to reach levels not seen since 2019 by next year and a key driver behind the emirates’ success as a tourist and business destination is the UAE’s strong economic performance, says a report.

The remarkable post-pandemic performance of Dubai’s hospitality industry is a clear reflection of the UAE’s wider economic successes, said the Cavendish Maxwell report.

Despite the curveballs thrown by Covid-19 and recent global conflicts that disrupted travel worldwide, Dubai is defying the odds and emerging as the superstar of the tourism world.

In the first half of this year, a staggering 8.5 million globetrotters chose Dubai as their destination, breaking the city’s record for number of visitors. Fast forward to July 2023, and that number has surged to a jaw-dropping 9.83 million. Freshly released data by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism also reveals that in 2022, Dubai hosted 14.36 million international overnight visitors. By comparison, in 2021, just 7.26 million stayed overnight.

The city hasn’t just bounced back, it has soared past regional and global expectations. In fact, during 2022, Dubai reached 86% of its pre-pandemic visitor levels, beating even the most optimistic projections by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation for international tourist arrivals in 2023.

Inflation under check

While the rest of the world has been grappling with soaring inflation rates, the UAE has managed to keep things in check.

In 2022, inflation in the UAE stayed at a modest 4.8%, thanks in part to generous government subsidies, particularly for essentials like food and fuel. In comparison, the rest of the world experienced much higher inflation at 8.7%, according to the International Monetary Fund. Looking ahead, the UAE is on track to lower inflation to 3.1% in 2023 and return to a stable 2.6% rate in 2024.

Alongside keeping inflation in check, the UAE has also exceeded expectations in economic growth, despite increasing concerns about a global recession. In 2022, the UAE saw an economic growth rate of 7.6%, the highest in over a decade.

Impressive recovery

Although experts at Fitch foresee a slight dip to 3.3% for the UAE in 2023 due to oil production cuts, the country’s economy has been recognised globally for its impressive post-pandemic recovery.

“The tourism sector’s GDP growth is set to nearly double from 2021 to a remarkable 36.1%, and by 2024, it’s predicted to reach levels we haven’t seen since 2019. Back then, travel and tourism contributed a substantial 11.6% to the country’s GDP, raking in AED180.4 billion,” the report said.

Source: Trade Arabia.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Real Madrid announce landmark global partnership

DUBAI – Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, together with Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, have kicked off a landmark collaboration.

The multi-year agreement promises a range of exciting activations, special fan moments and unique experiences for Dubai and Real Madrid fans.

The newly formed alliance will equally serve as a powerhouse platform to create new growth opportunities for both institutions and support Dubai’s ambitious plans as part of its recently announced Dubai Economic Agenda – D33.

Being at the forefront of global sports entertainment with the world’s greatest Club aligns perfectly with Dubai’s ambitious plans to consolidate its position among the top three global cities. Launching this October, the partnership encompasses Real Madrid’s First Men and Women Football Teams, bringing a taste of Dubai to Santiago Bernabéu offering fans unforgettable experiences and services.

Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, formalised the partnership during an official ceremony at the legendary Sala de Juntas in Ciudad Real Madrid, in the presence of Jose Angel Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer of the Club, and Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid legend and Director of Institutional Relations.

Kazim commented, “We are excited to begin our journey with Real Madrid as a global partner. This game-changing collaboration between Dubai and the greatest Club in the world is built upon a shared vision and values, where every achievement motivates one to pursue new heights. With our aim to consolidate Dubai’s position among the top three global cities, this strategic alliance will harness the strengths of a leading destination and the world’s most celebrated team to reaffirm Dubai globally as the best city to visit, live, and work in.”

Butragueño, in turn, said, “We are very proud of this new partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism as the Club’s first Official Destination Partner. Dubai is a destination that strives for excellence in all its entertainment offerings, a value shared by the Club. We are delighted to bring this exciting tourist destination to our millions of Madridistas around the world.”

Dubai’s strong public and private sector relations are at the heart of its success, and this new collaboration with Real Madrid further builds on a longstanding partnership that Emirates has cemented since 2011.

It is also perfectly timed for the upcoming Real Madrid themed-park at Dubai Parks and Resorts, the largest theme park destination in the Middle East, which will further expand the city’s diverse destination proposition.

The park, which will be the world’s first Real Madrid-themed park, will feature a number of Real Madrid-related attractions, such as a museum, amusement rides and football skill games, food and beverage outlets, and retail spaces selling official Real Madrid products.

Source: Zawya.

Dubai Tourism Unleashes Dubai’s Allure in Nairobi during the East Africa Roadshow

In a dazzling affair that captivated travel enthusiasts from Mombasa- Nairobi to Kisumu, the Kempinski Hotel was transformed into a portal to another world as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism unveiled Dubai’s wonders in an unforgettable roadshow event. Nairobi played host to this spectacular event, underscoring the city’s significance as a hub of international connections.

A Grand Showcase of Dubai’s Best

With over 25 prominent companies gracing the occasion, the event transcended expectations. The venue buzzed with fervor as participants were treated to a variety of offerings from Dubai’s thriving tourism and medical sectors. Airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and entertainment providers came together to create a tapestry of Dubai’s offerings, captivating the audience’s imagination.

Partnerships Forged, Dreams Ignited

The event was not just a presentation; it was a gateway to another world. Attendees were given the chance to engage directly with Dubai’s products and services, forging partnerships and exploring collaborations. The room echoed with the voices of stakeholders, their discussions laying the foundation for fruitful future endeavors.

Excitement in the Air

A highlight of the day was the Dubai raffle, which added an element of thrill to the proceedings. Lucky winners walked away with exciting prizes, making the event not only informative but also rewarding.

Local Touch, Global Impact

KATA’s members, hailing from various corners of Kenya, added a distinctive local touch to the event. Their active participation illustrated the vibrant collaboration between Kenya and Dubai, setting the stage for a future filled with promising ventures.

This roadshow became more than an event; it became a platform for dreams to flourish and partnerships to thrive. As the sun set on the day, the promise of stronger connections and endless opportunities lingered, leaving attendees inspired and invigorated for the journeys ahead. Dubai’s allure had woven itself into the fabric of Kenya’s travel industry, leaving an indelible mark of partnership, promise, and endless possibilities.

Date: September 29, 2023 by Bryan Obala, KATA Media and Communications.

Dubai launches religious tourism initiative

The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai (IACAD) launched the Religious Tourism Project in Dubai with a set of plans, programmes, and initiatives in the field of Islamic tourism. This was announced during a press conference held at the department’s headquarters on Thursday.

The project aims to enhance Dubai’s tourism and achieve the department’s vision of being the best in the world, Islamically and charitably making the city the most visited in the world by 2025. “The project contributes to strengthening the emirate’s position as an attraction point for international religious tourism for residents, visitors, and tourists, both Muslims and non-Muslims,” said Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri from IACAD.

Al Mansouri pointed out that the project will achieve a three per cent to four per cent increase in the number of tourists to the emirate. The project will feature the most prominent religious attractions in Dubai.

Floating Mosque: It will be the first floating mosque in the world which will consist of three floors. One half of the structure with its sitting areas and a coffee shop will be above the water; while the other is submerged below. The underwater deck will be for the prayer area with ablution and toilet facilities and can accommodate 50-75 worshippers. The mosque will be constructed with a total cost of approximately Dh55 million.

The Quranic exhibition: This will feature the journey of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Quran, where he printed thousands of copies of the holy Quran from 2000 to 2005 and distributed around the world.

Dubai Iftar: This is organised during the holy month of Ramadan and is a unique initiative that brings together people of different faiths, to breakfast together.

Hala Ramadan: It is an initiative where people of different faiths gather in the new neighbourhoods in Dubai under the Hala Ramadan initiative. This will include groups of social, sports, and educational programmes.

Visit to the Quranic Park and adding a section on prophetic medicine: The Quranic Park is the first-ever Quran-inspired Park in the world which covers an area of 600,000 square metres. This huge park is divided into many sections which serve different purposes and interests. The park has plants and herbs that are mentioned in the Quran.

Ramadan and Eid Market: Ramadan markets will be introduced adjacent to a few popular mosques in Dubai with the aim of welcoming Muslim and non-Muslim tourists during the Ramadan and Eid holidays. This will help them learn about Islamic customs and traditions and teach them the religion of Islam.

Source: Khaleej times.