The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Premier Inn Middle East to further diversify the city’s tourism offering and enhance the overall visitor experience. A joint venture in the Middle East between Emirates and Whitbread PLC, Premier Inn is known for its high-quality, high value service and accommodations, and shares DET’s vision to cater to the needs and preferences of all international travellers. DET and Premier Inn will work together to boost tourism growth, enhance hospitality training, and develop unique travel experiences, underlining DET’s commitment to drive industry momentum through stakeholder collaborations. Aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, the agreement establishes a framework for DET and Premier Inn to showcase Dubai’s diverse destination proposition to global audiences. One of the key focuses of the MoU is joint marketing campaigns. Through targeted advertising, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and dynamic social media strategies, Premier Inn will actively promote Dubai as a must-visit travel destination. These efforts will target both B2C and B2B markets, ensuring maximum reach and impact. In addition to marketing, the two organisations will work together to develop unique tourism products that highlight Dubai’s cultural heritage, seasonal attractions, and other distinctive features. These offerings will be incorporated into tailored packages aimed at specific markets, providing travellers with memorable and personalised experiences. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Guided by the city’s visionary leadership, this strategic alliance with Premier Inn supports our broader efforts to meet the diverse needs of …
Read More »Elevating Sustainability in Hospitality: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism recognises 153 hotels with Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp in the initiative’s second cycle. This marks a 118% increase from the 70 hotels recognised in last year’s inaugural edition, reflecting the commitment of the hospitality sector in Dubai to prioritising sustainability, and reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a sustainable destination. The DST Stamp, which was launched in July 2023, recognises hotels that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable practices, aligning with Dubai’s ambitious environmental goals and vision for a green future. Hotels are evaluated against a comprehensive set of ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’, covering areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and staff engagement. The awards, which feature a three-tier recognition system in gold, silver and bronze categories, were officially announced at an exclusive ceremony held on 26 February at Atlantis The Royal. Contributing to broader clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, the DST Stamp initiative is also in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As part of the wider DST programme, the recognition is designed to elevate the environmental performance of the hospitality sector. Rated for their performance in 2024, 18 hotels achieved the gold tier – including Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis The Royal; Jumeirah Al Qasr; Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf; Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa; and Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai – while 64 earned silver and 71 received bronze. These hotels underwent rigorous assessments by third-party independent assessors as part of the Dubai Government Excellence programme, ensuring …
Read More »Resorts World Cruises celebrates maiden sailing from Dubai
Resorts World Cruises arrived in Dubai with the Resorts World One commencing her first sailing from 1 November 2024 onwards. The 1800-passenger cruise ship departs from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to the Gulf destinations. A special celebratory event was held on the ship with close to 600 invitees to commemorate this milestone event. Resorts World Cruises’ President, Mr. Michael Goh and its senior management welcomed onboard regional dignitaries, authorities, members of the press and key influencers. The port-stay event included a series of special memento presentations with invitees having the chance to experience the onboard LIVE performances, the wide array of cuisines and a guided ship tour of the ship’s accommodations, facilities and offerings. As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests can look forward to special added-value promotions. This includes receiving complimentary Food & Beverage Onboard Credits valued at AED 700 or US$190 per cabin for sailings in November for both the 3-Night Oman Cruise and the 2-Night Qatar Cruise. During the deployment, the Resorts World One will provide exciting new vacation options from Dubai for the weekend with the 2-Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise departing Fridays. Guests can also look forward to the 2-Night Doha (Qatar) Cruise departing Wednesdays and the 3-Night Muscat-Khasab (Oman) Cruise departing Sundays. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise. “We have been counting down the days and we are delighted that the Resorts World One has arrived in Dubai and is ready to sail. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for …
Read More »Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton sign strategic MoU to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will further enhance the destination’s visibility globally and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimisation. This new phase of their ongoing partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, underscoring the commitment of DET and Hilton to drive excellence across the tourism sector by creating outstanding experiences for visitors. Designed to establish a collaborative framework between the entities, the MoU will focus on joint marketing initiatives, including through advertising campaigns and social media, actively promoting Dubai as a premier destination. They will also roll out tourism products that highlight the city’s unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages to provide visitors with authentic insights into the city. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to incorporate Dubai experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme, which has more than 195 million members globally. Meanwhile, Hilton will be able to leverage DET’s training and capacity building, offered through its Dubai College of Tourism, to enhance team member skills in areas such as customer service and cultural awareness, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to visitors. The MoU was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa at Hilton. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Hilton has been a key part of Dubai’s tourism growth story over recent decades, contributing …
Read More »Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to showcase latest business support, innovations and initiatives at GITEX Global and Expand North Star
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will once again bring a strong presence to two major shows this month in Dubai – GITEX Global 2024 and Expand North Star – highlighting the innovation in the services it offers to enhance ease of doing business, and the innovative companies that are setting up in Dubai and using the city as a launchpad for global growth. DET’s participation in the events is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. At GITEX Global, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), part of DET, will introduce cutting-edge solutions designed to streamline the investor journey to further improve the ease of doing business in Dubai, a key driver in attracting foreign direct investment and top talent. These initiatives will further strengthen the emirate’s global status as a leading destination for innovation and investment. As part of its participation, DBLC will also honour various partners who have contributed to the success of its initiatives over the past year. Meanwhile, across the city in Dubai Harbour, the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), another entity within DET, will showcase the businesses and services of five of its members, including Transcend Technologies, Jadwelny Portal, Sadeem Energy, Elmadrasah.com and Insurina, as well as its incubation partner Intelak. The participating Dubai SME members represent several sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism, energy IoT, EdTech, insurance marketplace and cybersecurity. The Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2), an initiative by …
Read More »Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism signs partnership with HaejooX for design and construction of Dubai Reef’s purpose-built reef modules
Dubai Reef is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Leading reef developer HaejooX has been formally confirmed as the official construction and fabrication contractor for Dubai Reef, a sustainable initiative by Dubai Can. The signing ceremony for the agreement was attended by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), a strategic partner of Dubai Reef, His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Chairman of Regulatory Committee on Fishing of Living Aquatic Resources in Dubai and Director General of Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Sang-Hyun Paik, Chairman of HaejooX. In the contract signed by Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Performance at DET, and Ryan Paik, CEO of HaejooX, it was announced that the company will design and construct 20,000 purpose-built reef modules, which will be deployed across Dubai’s waters over a three-year period. HaejooX, a pioneer in the purpose-built reef industry originating in Korea, has been involved with the Dubai Reef project since its initial proof of concept in 2021. Inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Reef pilot stage began in April 2024, and the deployment of the first 1,000 purpose-built reef modules is expected to commence in late November 2024. A citywide collaboration of key partners from across the public and private sectors, Dubai Reef is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate …
Read More »Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Emaar Hospitality Group sign MoU to further elevate tourism experience in Dubai
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emaar Hospitality Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of global hospitality trends and continues to offer unparalleled services to guests. Underlining DET’s commitment to building relationships with homegrown and international hotel groups, and to foster growth and innovation within the hospitality sector, the MoU exemplifies the robust public-private partnerships that are pivotal to Dubai’s tourism success and instrumental in creating unique experiences that attract visitors from around the world. The MoU further strengthens the ongoing partnership between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group and aims to enhance marketing and promotional efforts, develop tourism products and experiences, provide training and capacity building. It was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality Group. Increasing collaborative efforts between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group will further bolster Dubai’s tourism sector, in line with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, driving visitation growth and consolidating Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the goals of the D33 Agenda, this new MoU between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group marks another important milestone for Dubai’s tourism industry. Hospitality has been a cornerstone of Dubai’s journey towards becoming one of the most visited and most popular …
Read More »China recovered almost 84% more than 2019 during the first six months this year : DET
Shahab Shayan – Regional Director Asia Pacific and Turkey – Dubai Economy and Tourism shared that China is a key source market for Dubai and they are ready to welcome visitors from China. In his address, he welcomed the visitors to Dubai, “during the first six months we saw China recover very well, almost 84% more than 2019. It is a great recovery of the market from China to Dubai and ever since the borders opened Dubai has been China ready, to receive the Chinese market. We conducted the biggest roadshow in China in six cities and signed over 34 plus different partnerships and many fam trips as well. We want to remind them again why Dubai should be their first choice again.”
Read More »832 employees from 26 hotels trained on safe tourism
During H1 2024, 832 employees across 26 prominent Dubai’s hotels and touristic destinations participated in special workshops on safe tourism, with more scheduled for the remainder of the year. Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), a part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has organised a series of awareness workshops as part of the Safe Tourism Awareness Programme. The workshops aim to familiarise hospitality staff with DET’s services, teach optimal utilisation of these services, and inform them about communication channels dedicated for various tourism services in Dubai. They also educate employees about consumer rights and duties, ensuring guests and visitors understand how to contact the Consumer Protection Department. This includes displaying the consumer protection number in a visible location, as well as the contact details for submitting complaints. These efforts enhance guest confidence in the transparency of these establishments, further solidifying Dubai’s position as the best city to visit, live and work in. Additionally, the workshops present case studies highlighting services provided by relevant entities, such as Dubai Police smart services, the Lost and Found service, and key hotlines for consumers (999 for emergencies and 901 for non-emergencies and general inquiries). These efforts underscore the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to create a safe tourism environment. Organised in collaboration with Dubai Tourist Police Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) , Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Municipality and the Directorate General Of Civil Defense Dubai, these workshops are designed to enhance Dubai’s status as one the world’s safest cities. Ahmad Ali Moussa, Director of the Consumer Protection Department at DCCPFT, said: “Recognising Dubai’s position as a leading global destination, …
Read More »Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Emirates deepen partnership to strengthen the city’s position as a leading global business destination
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emirates signed a strategic partnership outlining joint initiatives to intensify international efforts and bolster Dubai’s mindshare as a hub for trade, tourism and investment. Building on both entities’ long-standing partnership and success in tourism promotion, this latest development underlines their respective commitment to achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and to further enhance the city’s status as a leading destination for business and leisure. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Driven by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DET is committed to developing and leveraging partnerships that can contribute towards achieving the city’s ambitious D33 goals. DET and Emirates have already built a powerful collaborative relationship in recent years, and this new MoU further enhances our ability to reach, engage with, and attract business audiences around the world. A key driver of Dubai’s tourism and wider economic growth has been the city’s international connectivity, propelled by Emirates’ global network and reputation as a leading airline, and we look forward to continuing to work closely …
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