Dubai has evolved into an ‘all-season’ tourism destination with offerings that cater to a diverse group of travellers even during summer months, says a senior official.

Having welcomed a record 8.55 million international visitors from January to June 2023, a top official says the city’s appeal as a tourism destination is strong even in the summer months.

Dubai is riding on a wave of diversity to strengthen its appeal as an all-season tourist spot, including the summer months, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), told Khaleej Times in an interview.

He said the city’s multifaceted character appeals to tourists with various preferences and means.

“Dubai’s rich offering makes even luxury travel affordable, with a host of options for budget-conscious travellers ranging from discounted stays at luxury hotels to fine dining experiences.

“In fact, Dubai provides mid-range hotels that match the service and amenities of many prominent full-service hotels around the globe, further enhancing the destination’s appeal for those in search of value for money during their stay, without compromising on the quality of the overall experience,” said Kazim.

The first half of 2023 marked the industry’s best ever first half performance.

“People are drawn to Dubai due to a combination of its unique and cosmopolitan lifestyle, its high level of safety, the ease of access to the city, doing business and navigating daily life in Dubai, and the city’s commitment to security, both in terms of personal safety and financial stability,” said Kazim.

As a summer destination, the emirate offers leisure options from culture and cuisine to entertainment, beach activities and family-oriented experiences.

“During the summer months, the focus of tourism shifts towards indoor and water-centric attractions, the city’s climate-controlled landmarks, and numerous malls. Families can enjoy activities such as indoor theme parks, while waterparks and water-sports offer refreshing aquatic fun. Additionally, the exciting culinary journey across a multitude of restaurants in the city enhances the experience,” Dubai tourism body’s CEO said.

The city’s ‘kids go free’ campaign has garnered “significant attention” from families and children.

Source: TradeArabia News Service

Dubai’s Emirates reported a record-breaking summer season, carrying over 14 million passengers with seat load factors exceeding 80 percent between June and August.

In addition, over 35 percent of visitors travelling on Emirates to Dubai were families, with an average stay of over two weeks to explore the city’s attractions.

Come winter, Emirates expects another surge in demand for travel to the city.

“Travel demand across our network has been strong and resilient despite rising cost-of-living pressures in many markets. It shows the value that people place on travel – whether for work, play, study, or visiting loved ones; and how essential international air connectivity is to communities,” Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim said.

For the city’s airport, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has demonstrated resurgence in key performance indicators, surpassing the pre-pandemic benchmarks of the first half of 2019. As one of the world’s busiest international aviation hubs, DXB welcomed a 41.6 million passengers during the initial six months of 2023. This figure reflects a growth of over 100 percent in comparison to the passenger volume recorded in H1 2019. Furthermore, when compared with the same period in 2022 (27.9 million), passenger traffic witnessed a significant surge of 49.1 percent.

Source: Hotelier

Across all metrics, Dubai hospitality and tourism has outdone itself compared to pre-Covid times. 2019 was a record year for the emirate, but 2023 has seen the city pull ahead when it comes to visitor figures, hotel rates and occupancies.

As per the Dubai Media Office, Dubai is the world’s fastest-recovering destination globally. Pulling in 8.55 million travellers in H1 2023, the city is ahead of H1 2019’s 8.36 million feat.

For comparison, United Nations World Trade Organisation estimates that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80-95 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year.

Hotel performance

Dubai’s hotels outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all hospitality metrics in H1 2023 including occupancy, ADR, RevPAR and length of stay. Among the highest in the world, Dubai hotels’ average occupancy of 78 percent is 2.2 percent points higher than the occupancy achieved for the same period in H1 2019.

This growth is particularly noteworthy considering the 13 percent increase in hotel establishments and 26 percent increase in room capacity over the same period in 2019. Continued domestic and international investment into the sector further increased the hotel inventory, and by the end of H1 2023, Dubai’s visitors and residents could choose from a total of 810 hotel establishments and 148,689 rooms, compared to 714 hotel establishments that were open with 118,345 rooms at the end of H1 2019.

The performance of the hotel sector is also evidenced by the fact that the average length of stay of guests increased to 3.9 nights (up from 3.5 nights in H1 2019), highlighting the city’s appeal for longer-stay travellers.

The average daily rate (ADR) of AED534 during the first six months of the year surpassed the ADR of H1 2019 (AED444), a 20 percent growth, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) of AED415 in H1 2023, surged by 24 percent compared to the first six months of the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (AED336).

Dubai tourism source markets

Looking at difference in the tourism landscape between now and 2019, there has been a surge in European business into Dubai.

In the first half of 2023, Western Europe emerged as a significant contributor to tourism arrivals, making up 20 percent of the total international visitation, while the GCC and MENA regions delivered a combined 28 percent of the regional share. South Asia held a 17percent share of the total visitation, and Russia, CIS, and Eastern Europe combined contributed 14 percent. North Asia and South East Asia contributed eight percent while the Americas, Africa and Australasia contributed seven, four and two percent, respectively.

Thanks to wise leadership

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The remarkable surge in international visitors witnessed by Dubai in the first half of 2023 further demonstrates its emergence as one of the brightest spots not only in the worldwide tourism sector but also the broader global economic landscape. This accomplishment has been made possible by the foresight of Dubai’s leadership, whose vision and prudent polices fortified its resilience in the wake of global challenges and enabled it to rebound more swiftly than other markets. While the growth of international visitation reinforces Dubai’s rise as a major global tourism destination, it also signifies its status as a pivotal hub for trade, investment and enterprise.

“The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has outlined an ambitious new trajectory for the city to further consolidate its status as one of the world’s top urban economies and tourism destinations. As a major pillar of Dubai’s economy, the tourism sector will continue to play a key role in realising its future aspirations.”

H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, commented: “This significant uplift in visitation, which surpasses both pre-pandemic levels and marks a new record for Dubai’s tourism sector, is the result of a highly coordinated, sustainable and robust strategy, that is underpinned by a strong execution mandate and driven forward by the vision and continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the emirate’s entire leadership, in line with the 10 year Dubai Economic Agenda D33. 

“These results further add weight to the depth, scale and resilience of Dubai’s tourism ecosystem, both domestically and across the world, all of which have been instrumental to supporting the city’s highly calibrated and agile strategy for advancing growth over the previous decade, mitigating risk and building a comprehensive framework throughout the entire value chain to drive our ambitions for the coming 10 years. It is the strength of these partnerships, and all our stakeholders, that continues to set us apart. We will continue to invest in such partnerships and all factors that drive the growth of tourism and economic sectors over the long term.”

H. E. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “The H1 industry performance is testament to the future-oriented strategy of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city in the world to visit, live and work. Within a highly competitive global tourism ecosystem, Dubai has continued to accelerate momentum and stay ahead of the curve, primarily by highlighting the diversity of the city’s offerings and the flexibility of our portfolio.  Central to our success in showcasing Dubai as a must-visit destination is fostering multi-level partnerships between the public and private sectors.

“These collaborations with government entities, industry stakeholders and global partners form the backbone of our growth strategy, paving the way for a well-aligned and united cross-sector endeavour to create a unique positioning and drive international visitation, as well as support the wider talent attraction and economic growth agendas. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to delivering memorable experiences to all our guests, residents and the business and MICE community at large, to set new standards and push the boundaries of excellence globally.”

Source: Hotelier

The emirate was one of the first cities in the world to open after Covid-19 following the government’s successful handling of the pandemic

Dubai’s tourist numbers surpassed its pre-pandemic level, growing by 20 per cent to a record 8.55 million in the first half of 2023 as against 8.36 million in H1 2019.

The emirate was one of the first cities in the world to open after Covid-19 following the government’s successful handling of the pandemic, helping it recover faster than its peers. The tourism industry was one of the first beneficiaries of the reopening of borders, with a large number of foreign tourists flocking to the emirate.

There are several reasons why Dubai achieved this feat faster than many other cities worldwide, and in the process, the emirate gathered accolades that proved it is the world’s top destination after Covid-19.

Here are some of them:

Tripadvisor ranked Dubai and tourism-related experiences in the emirate as the best in the world. This was only the second time in history that a city won the coveted award for two years in a row.

In January, the emirate was ranked the world’s best destination for holidaymakers in 2023 in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards as well. In June, the dune-bashing safari experience in Dubai’s Lahab was ranked first on the travel platform. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2023 also named Dubai’s JW Marriott Marquis Hotel the best in the Middle East.

Travelbag named Dubai the most picturesque and prettiest city at night. “Dubai at night is a cityscape of unparalleled beauty, which is why we’ve crowned it the prettiest city to experience after dark. With an impressive count of 25,905 Instagram posts under the hashtag ‘dubaiatnight’, it’s clear the city holds an irresistible allure for nocturnal adventurers,” it said. The emirate was also named one of the safest cities to walk alone at night, so even solo travellers can take in the sights without worry.

Resonance Consultancy ranked Dubai the best place in the world to live, work, invest and visit in 2023. The consultancy said the world’s deepest pool Deep Dive Dubai, Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Dubai Creek, The Palm and the world’s first and highest 360-degree Infinity pool Aura Skypool are top landmarks and attractions of the world.

A study released by Bounce rated Dubai the most favorite destination for 2023 on the global social media platform TikTok. The emirate was rated the top destination for the second consecutive year with 140.4 billion views, followed by New York (101.8b views) and London.

Condé Nast Traveller magazine rated Dubai the prettiest summer destination in the region and 6th globally. The study is based on Instagram and TikTok hashtags for over 100 cities, unveiling which locations offer the most beautiful shots for summer social media posts. Dubai had nearly 51,000 hashtags on Instagram and 12.2 million on TikTok.

Source: Zawya

Dubai is officially ahead of its 2019 tourism levels, which was a record-breaking year for the emirate. Dubai Tourism’s May 2023 data recorded 7.39 million international visits YTD, slightly higher than May 2019’s 7.16 million.

It is hoped by the Dubai government that the city will beat its FY 2019 numbers by the end of 2023.

The majority of Dubai’s top 20 source markets are all ahead of May 2019 levels too. India accounted for 1.038 million visitors up to May 2023 compared to 846,000 in May 2019.

The second-biggest source market for Dubai now is Russia, which made up 554,000 international arrivals compared to 362,000 in May 2019.

Source markets which are down compared to May 2019 include UK, France, KSA and of course, China. Up to May 2023, 203,000 Chinese travellers have come into Dubai, a 295 percent surge YOY but down against May 2019’s 433,000.

Dubai Tourism success

Last month,  H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council reviewed Dubai’s overall economic performance up to H1 2023.

H.H. said: “Dubai’s economic performance indicators for the first half of 2023 have exceeded expectations. These exceptional results bolster our outlook for record results in the coming months. We look forward to a new, strong beginning in 2024, during which we seek to further enhance the business environment and accelerate economic growth in order to contribute to the goals of Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”

Issam Kazim wants to convert Dubai’s tourists into full-time residents

During this year’s City Briefing, Issam Kazim told the emirate’s hospitality leaders he wants to convert holiday-makers into residents.

Kazim said: “Today we have two new KPIs. We want to make sure Dubai continues to be one of the best cities to work in, and more importantly, one of the best cities in the world to live in.”

Source: Hotelier Middle East

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced the launch of the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’, a new sustainability initiative that seeks to recognize hotels with the highest adherence to DET’s 19 ‘Sustainability Requirements’. The initiative, launched in line with the UAE Year of Sustainability, is part of DET’s commitment to strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable tourism destination.

Developed in collaboration with Dubai’s hospitality sector, the new stamp is designed to accelerate efforts towards empowering the tourism sector to achieve its sustainability goals and support the UAE’s NetZero 2050 initiative. As Dubai continually strives to achieve the objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, the initiative will contribute to further consolidating the city’s status as one of the top three global destinations.

The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will serve as a validation of the hotel’s dedication to sustainability and showcase its sustainable practices. To obtain the stamp, hotels of all classifications must meet the highest standards of DET’s 19 Sustainability requirements, which include criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management programs, and staff education and engagement initiatives. The accreditation process will be overseen by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence, with the initiative designed based on global best practices.

The stamp will feature a three-tier scheme with categories ranging from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Nominations for hotel establishments to obtain the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will begin on 3 August, 2023 and end on 31 August, 2023.

Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism stated: “As part of our efforts to transform Dubai into a leading sustainable tourism destination in line with 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 our city the best place in the world to visit, live and work in, the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp champions sustainable practices while setting a benchmark for excellence in environmental stewardship, aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033.

We have carefully curated a set of high standard criteria that will reward hotels that go above and beyond in their sustainable practices. By recognizing these exemplary establishments, we are encouraging others to follow suit and embrace sustainable initiatives that not only benefit their businesses but also contribute to the collective well-being of our city and the world at large.

“Supported by Dubai’s vibrant hotel industry, this initiative is a strategic step towards achieving our goal of making Dubai a leading destination for global travellers seeking the ultimate sustainability experience. By supporting businesses and encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly practices and reducing their carbon footprint, we are not only safeguarding the environment but also promoting sustainable growth. As Dubai prepares to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the UN Climate Change Conference from 30 November to 12 December this year, the launch of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp also demonstrates the tourism industry’s foresight and determination to foster an eco-friendly sector that is both economically prosperous and environmentally responsible.”

DET’s sustainability strategy has paved the way for innovative initiatives including the Carbon Calculator, a mechanism to help stakeholders and partners identify cost saving opportunities and manage the transition to sustainable practices, in line with the ‘Sustainability Requirements’.

Dubai Can, a citywide sustainability initiative, focuses on promoting the use of reusable bottles and encouraging people to refill.  Since its inception in February 2022, Dubai Can has successfully reduced the use of an equivalent of more than 10 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles and led to the installation of 50 water fountains throughout the city since its inception.

Source: Dubai Tourism

The UAE has reintroduced the three-month visit visa. Previously, the three-month or 90-day visa was discontinued and replaced with a longer-term 60-day visa for visitors planning to stay in the country for an extended period.

A representative from the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) call center confirmed that individuals interested in visiting the UAE for 90 days can take advantage of this opportunity. They advised consulting travel agents who can assist in obtaining the 90-day visit visa.

Experts in the industry have reported that this reintroduction occurred at the end of May 2023, enabling visitors to remain in the UAE for up to 90 days. However, it is possible to extend the visa within the country for an additional fee, which varies depending on the service provider.

Types of entry permits

“There are two categories of entry permits available: tourist visas or leisure visas, and visit visas,”

explained Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager for inbound and outbound operations at Regal Tours Worldwide. He further mentioned that a tourist visa is typically issued for either 30 or 60 days, while a visit visa allows for a 90-day stay. This extended visit visa option complements the existing tourist visa choices, providing travelers with increased flexibility in planning their itineraries.

The 30-day and recently introduced 60-day tourist visas have been popular among visitors seeking shorter stays in the UAE. These visas offer sufficient time to explore the country’s renowned landmarks and enjoy its world-class shopping and dining experiences.

Who can apply?

According to Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tourism LLC, many residents are unaware of the reintroduced three-month visa offered by the authorities. Industry experts have clarified that this visa is open to anyone and is valid for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Varghese further explained that currently, there hasn’t been a significant number of inquiries about this visa. However, individuals who are particularly interested in this entry permit are often family members of residents in the UAE. They may wish to spend an extended period in the country, such as children visiting during school vacations or parents of residents.

According to Subair, in the past, the UAE offered two types of entry permits: a leisure visa with a validity of three months and a tourist visa with a validity of 30 days. However, recent changes in visa procedures have introduced additional options. Last year, the authorities implemented modifications that allowed for the extension of the three-month visa within the country by paying an extension fee. This change was well-received and gained popularity among visitors.

Visa fee

The cost of a 90-day visit visa can differ based on the travel agent or agency handling the visa application. The fee typically starts at Dh1,500 and can go up to Dh2,000. It is important to note that the specific details regarding visa extensions have not been announced yet since the visa was recently introduced. According to Varghese, further information regarding the extension process will be made available in due course.

Documents required

To apply for the long-term visit visa, Subair explains that the following documents need to be submitted:

• Recent passport-size colored photograph
• Copy of the passport

The processing time for the visa application may vary, but Subair mentions that it can take up to five working days. However, in some cases, it is possible to receive the visa within two days.

SOURCE: Focus.hidubai

Dubai will have five times as many beaches by 2040, following a major announcement to develop tourism and wellbeing for residents.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai made the announcement on social media, after a visit to Jebel Ali Beach.

The ambitious plans will see the emirate increase the area of beaches in the emirate from 21km to 105km.

Dubai beach plan

Sheikh Mohammed said there will also be a 300 per cent increase in the services on public beaches by 2025.

Sheikh Mohammed’s Twitter message said: “Within the Dubai Urban Plan, we have adopted the development and doubling of public beaches by 400% by 2040. increasing its area from 21km now to 105km and raising the percentage of services by 300% on public beaches by 2025.

We launched the first urban plan in Dubai in the 1960s. Development in Dubai is continuing and we are still at the beginning. We will continue to provide the best standard of living for individuals and families in services and projects globally”

“The new urban projects will add to the renewed dazzle in the emirate and will support our economic and tourism agenda for the next decade.”

Sheikh Mohammed said the city will continue to compete with itself to be the ideal place for visitors and residents.

“Our goal is to consolidate the leading position achieved by Dubai as one of the most beautiful and most developed cities in the world,” he added.

Earlier this month it was announced a new beach in the city will be dog-friendly and a hub for water sports.

The newly opened beach will be the first family-friendly beach in the city to allow dogs to swim, says developer Nakheel.

The new beach is located along the emirate’s northern coastline and is now open from sunrise to sunset.

The new beach is poised to become the go-to destination for water sports and beach sports enthusiasts, just a few steps away from Centara Mirage Beach Resort and Hotel Riu.

SOURCE: Arabianbusiness.