Travel meets adventure

GREAT VALUE

Having personally lived the charm of this extraordinary city, Dubai’s unique combination of diverse offerings, year-round events, and exceptional hospitality, makes it a prime choice for visitors of all ages, preferences and means. By offering mid-range hotels that rival the service facilities of many leading full-service hotels globally, Dubai provides an extra layer of appeal for those seeking exceptional value during their stay.

From the iconic Burj Khalifa and the pristine JBR beach to the immersive Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and the expansive Dubai Parks and Resorts, the city offers a diverse range of attractions that guarantee unforgettable moments for both parents and children. Dubai’s dedication to family-oriented attractions and activities also encompasses its abundant parks, interactive museums such as the Museum of the Future, and themed entertainment venues such as Ski Dubai, seamlessly integrating education and amusement.

RECORD PERFORMANCE

Following the resurgence of Dubai’s tourism industry, the city continues to build on its outstanding performance, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to solidify and consolidate its position among the world’s top three global cities. In the first half of this year, Dubai welcomed 8.55 million international overnight visitors, marking its best-ever H1 performance, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and resulting in a significant 20 per cent year-on-year visitation growth–a testament to Dubai’s multifaceted destination proposition.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has worked diligently in collaboration with its partners and stakeholders, to spotlight the city’s blend of leisure, business and innovation, culminating in it being crowned the No. 1 global destination for two consecutive years at the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023–a distinction shared with just one other city in history.

GREEN OUTLOOK

Inspired by our visionary leadership, Dubai continues to make significant strides as a top global tourism hub with its world-class infrastructure, multitude of experiences and commitment to innovation and sustainability; placing it at the forefront of the world’s widely recommended travel destinations. Dubai’s commitment to sustainability has been further emphasised this year, with the UAE designating 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability,’ and Dubai preparing to host COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference. The city’s dedication to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and the implementation of the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’ awarded to eco-conscious hotels, are commendable steps towards a greener future.

In an era where food tourism is burgeoning, Dubai has also made remarkable strides in this high-growth sector. Food enthusiasts from across the globe are captivated by Dubai’s vibrant gastronomy scene, representing the flavours and cultures of over 200 nationalities residing in the emirate. The launch of the second edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai and the recognition of Dubai’s restaurants in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 2023 and Gault&Millau further solidify the city’s culinary prowess.

VARIED EVENTS

Dubai further solidifies its status as a global events hub, playing host to a year-round calendar of international events that draw visitors from across the globe. This success is underpinned by the dedicated efforts of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an entity under DET that’s responsible for developing Dubai’s retail and festival sectors and positioning the city as a premier global tourism destination, as well as the best place to live, visit and work.

Renowned for year-round family entertainment, shopping extravaganzas, and an array of events and festivals, Dubai’s iconic calendar includes Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, as well as the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, and Dubai Fitness Challenge. Dubai’s dynamic event landscape not only showcases its multifaceted appeal, but also extends to encompass business-oriented events, reinforcing its multifunctional role as a destination.

As an award-winning travel destination, Dubai offers a wide range of experiences, from culture to cuisine, entertainment and events, as well as iconic landmarks and world-class infrastructure, facilities and amenities. Our industry takes pride in its unified approach, where private, semi-governmental, and governmental sectors, led by our visionary leadership, work together seamlessly to consolidate the city among the world’s top three destinations.

Dubai’s success in tourism is also driven by its strategic location, and commitment to provide a multifaceted proposition, achieved through a strong network of local and international partners. With its unique blend of modernity and tradition, Dubai stands as a testament to what can be achieved through ambition and forward-thinking strategies, captivating the world’s imagination and maintaining its place as one of the world’s highly recommended travel destinations.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’, a new sustainability initiative that seeks to recognise 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.

DET’s 19 Sustainability requirements include criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management programmes, 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.

As Dubai prepares to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the UN Climate Change Conference from November 30 to December 12 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, he added.