Tag Archives: Dubai Tourism

The 2021 edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2021) taking place for the very first time as a hybrid event from 16-19 May (physical) and 23-25 May (virtual), will see Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) pull out all stops to ensure that the destination remains in the global spotlight with unique events, projects and initiatives designed to further accelerate tourism momentum in this landmark year for Dubai. Over 70 representatives from government bodies, hotels, destination management companies and tour operators will join Dubai Tourism at the Dubai stands in Hall 3 of the Dubai World Trade Centre to safely welcome stakeholders, partners and visitors to a key industry event within a physical setting, as part of continued efforts to lead the recovery of global tourism. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Tourism said, “ATM will play a pivotal role in strengthening the industry in what continues to be one of the most challenging periods for global tourism. With Dubai being the host destination and as one of the longstanding official partners of the event, our participation together with a cross-section of industry representatives is fundamental to the global efforts underway in dealing with a rapidly evolving situation as well as to drive post-pandemic tourism growth.  As we look forward to support ATM’s efforts to help rebuild the travel sector and facilitate business within our industry, we will also leverage this important platform to showcase the breadth of Dubai’s tourism proposition and innovative projects and initiatives while underlining that the health and safety of residents and visitors remains our top priority. We are committed to realising our tourism strategy of making Dubai the most visited and one of …

Dubai Calendar, part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has highlighted an exciting array of events and entertainment taking place in Dubai in May and June. From comedy nights to concerts and spectacular performances, the season promises a vibrant schedule of activities on Dubai Calendar that are sure to appeal to visitors and residents of all ages and interests. As one of the first few cities in the world to have restarted the events sector including the hosting of live events with stringent precautionary measures in place, guests can feel confident in attending their favourite shows within a highly safe environment. In line with government efforts to safeguard the public, all events are held with strict adherence to safety measures including contactless payment, temperature checks upon arrival at the venue, wearing of masks at all times during the event and adhering to social distancing. Connoisseurs of comedy have an extensive list of events to choose from, starting this May with the city’s highly anticipated Dubai Comedy Festival, which is returning after a resoundingly successful 2020 event. With an exhilarating line-up of world-class comedians, this edition of Dubai Comedy Festival is sure to draw a smile on everyone’s faces with 10 days of unmissable shows taking place all over the city. From 13 to 22 May, residents and visitors can look forward to an outstanding programme of stand-up sets, energetic variety shows and on-site activations from an international roster of comedians such as Gad Elmaleh, Eddie Griffin, Maz Jobrani, Nemr, Alexander Revva and more.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) hosted the latest quarterly meetings of its Business Events and Exhibitions Committees, providing industry stakeholders with updates on restarting and scaling up events since their resumption in September and the roadmap for the sector as Dubai continues to lead the global recovery. Held virtually to maximize attendance during the Holy Month, the two meetings, presided by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, were part of a series of meetings and townhalls the department has hosted throughout the global pandemic to both keep stakeholders updated on all stages of the recovery and obtain their inputs on various issues. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said, “Guided by the city’s prudent leadership over the past year, Dubai has been able to lead the way globally not only in wider tourism recovery but specifically in the restart of business events. Thanks to the efforts of our stakeholders across the sector, the momentum we built at the end of 2020 has gathered pace this year, with strong optimism for the coming months to further leverage our status as one of the few cities globally to be safely hosting business events of all sizes. As the countdown towards Expo 2020 Dubai continues, business events are playing a vital role in attracting more visitors and showcasing this as a safe city for international gatherings, and also recapturing economic growth across all economic sectors.  We remain attuned to the needs of our stakeholders as we continue on our path and welcome their input, collaboration, and expertise.” HH Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said, “Guided by the city’s prudent leadership over the past …

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), organised a virtual workshop for national tourism companies to highlight its efforts in preparing Emiratis to play a vital role in the sector. The workshop, which was hosted under the Medyaf programme, DCT’s industry nationalisation initiative, also provided participants with updates from the tourism sector and the College’s plan for the key fourth quarter period, as the country prepares to host the Expo 2020 Dubai from October. The contribution of the tourism sector to Dubai’s GDP; the city’s advanced infrastructure and diverse attractions and experiences; the top searched places to visit in the emirate, as well as the shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, in addition to the hassle-free entry process for visitors were among the topics discussed at the workshop. Participants were also informed about the wide range of health and safety measures that are in place across the city to ensure that the safety and well-being of travellers, from arrival to departure, remains the city’s top priority. The workshop highlighted Dubai Tourism’s passion to support local Emirati talent and national companies that employ highly qualified Emiratis, through courses taken at the Dubai College of Tourism such as the Online Tour Guide Course. It is important to provide the tourism sector with UAE nationals as they are regarded as the best-placed candidates to introduce the Emirati culture, heritage, and customs to visitors. They will also be able to provide information and share experiences with tourists that stem from their own understanding of Emirati society and its unique culture and traditions.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) hosted a virtual town hall meeting for industry stakeholders, providing an overview of the tourism sector and global travel updates and trends, as well as insights into source markets, initiatives, campaigns and events designed to highlight Dubai’s position as the destination of choice for families in the summer. The Summer 2021 Virtual Town Hall, presided by Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), is part of the regular top-level industry engagements initiated by Dubai Tourism to ensure the entire industry is seamlessly aligned with the marketing communications and campaigns dedicated to tourism growth. The meeting, attended by over 600 key executives from the hospitality, travel and attractions sectors, reviewed the progress made by the industry since the reopening of the city to domestic tourism in May 2020 and international tourists in July 2020. It also reviewed the strong measures in place to safeguard the health and well-being of residents and visitors. During the meeting, it was noted that the wide ranging steps taken by Dubai to successfully manage the pandemic resulted in the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) awarding the emirate the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp. Dubai also launched its own compliance programme, the DUBAI ASSURED stamp to certify and recognise establishments across the tourism ecosystem that have complied with all safety protocols. An ongoing countrywide vaccination campaign has also placed the UAE among the top five nations globally in terms of overall vaccine rollout. The Town Hall provided an insight into Dubai Tourism’s direction and plans for Summer 2021, to enable stakeholders to leverage and benefit from the various marketing initiatives and ensure the …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has joined forces with various authorities to ensure establishments across the tourism ecosystem are fully implementing precautionary measures to combat COVID-19 and safeguard the health and well-being of residents and visitors. Since the reopening of the city to domestic tourism in May and international tourists in July, Dubai Tourism adopted a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with health and safety protocols. Heavy fines and penalties were also imposed against violators of precautionary guidelines. Dubai Tourism continues to conduct joint inspection campaigns in cooperation with Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and the Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy), especially across places that attract large gatherings. Penalties for violations range from fines to final warnings, suspension of permits and closure of the facility. Over the last two months, Dubai Tourism has increased its inspection campaigns to ensure that hotels and establishments across tourism touchpoints including retail, leisure, attractions, and events are complying with wide-ranging health and safety protocols outlined by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. Following the New Year’s Eve celebrations, Dubai Tourism in coordination with other relevant authorities has conducted nearly 10,000 inspections of hotels and recreational facilities. A total of 274 violations were recorded and 47 facilities closed, marking a compliance rate of 89%. A new set of precautionary measures against COVID-19 that was valid from 2-28  February in Dubai was recently extended until the beginning of Ramadan in mid-April. The new rules cover various sectors and activities with shopping malls; hotel establishments, swimming pools, and private beaches in hotels required to operate at 70% capacity.  Indoor venues, including cinemas and entertainment and sports venues, will continue to operate at …

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) has announced a strategic partnership with leading international hospitality company, Jumeirah Group, to facilitate graduates in pursuing successful careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and forms an integral part of the industry nationalisation initiative, Medyaf. This initiative firmly supports Dubai Tourism’s growth strategy and highlights the pivotal role that local talent will play in the future of Dubai’s tourism sector and its status as an exceptional world-class destination. Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism, commented, “The agreement with hospitality leader Jumeirah Group will provide a major impetus to the Medyaf programme of Dubai College of Tourism, to attract and train talented Emiratis for gainful employment in the tourism sector.  It is also a reflection of the strong spirit of collaboration that exists between government and private sector establishments in Dubai and will further enhance the role of the hospitality sector in the implementation of Dubai’s tourism strategy designed to make the city the world’s No.1 most visited, revisited, and preferred destination. With the world going through challenging times, it is imperative to expand the pool of local talent and we are confident that by working with industry partners of Jumeirah Group’s calibre, we will be able to achieve the goals of our industry nationalisation drive, a critical element in strengthening Dubai’s tourism workforce.” Commenting on the agreement, Ellen Dubois du Bellay, Chief Human Resources Officer, Jumeirah Group said, ”The development of young local talent is a key focus for Jumeirah Group. The next generation will be crucial to the future of our company and that of the hospitality sector in the UAE, and we fully support the nation’s mission to …

Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) announced the global release of ‘Ya Salam Ya Dubai’, launched on New Year’s Day as part of the 26th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Ya Salam Ya Dubai was released as joint project between Dubai Tourism and MBC Group. The new song fuses the talents of two famed artists including Arabic music icon Rashed Al Majed and Moroccan–Swedish singer, songwriter and Multi Grammy award-winning music producer RedOne, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Nicki Minaj among other successful artists. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, “With Ya Salam Ya Dubai, we can truly celebrate how far Dubai has come to be a leading international destination recognised around the world. In a relatively short time period, the city has innovated and adapted to changing tourism trends and the evolving global travel industry, achieving countless milestones, launching world-class landmarks and hosting successful events that continue to attract global attention and visitation.” Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “Throughout the 26 years of DSF, we have remained committed to bringing exciting promotions, activations and experiences to residents and visitors, leaving them in awe, which in turn has established Dubai as the shopping and entertainment hub of the world. Ya Salam Ya Dubai is a celebration of the past, present and future of Dubai.” Commenting on the song, Rashed Al Majed said, “I am honored to be part of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s (DSF) story since its inception 26 years ago and today, I am back to celebrate Dubai, a magnificent city, which …

Emirates’ multi-channel advertising campaign, which showcases Dubai’s diverse attractions to those seeking a winter getaway, will initially launch in the UK and key European markets on television, online and social media channels. The airline has also partnered with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) on a promotion to offer complimentary stays at the JW Marriott Marquis to all Emirates customers visiting Dubai from 6 December until 28 February 2021. Courtesy of Dubai Tourism and Emirates, the airline’s Economy Class passengers will receive a free night’s stay, while passengers flying First or Business Class can enjoy two complimentary nights’ stay at the modern JW Marriott Marquis which is conveniently located near attractions like the Dubai Mall, BurjKhalifa and the Dubai Opera. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said, “The remarkable vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, have been a huge source of inspiration to us all, leading to the decisive and efficient management of the pandemic and ultimately paving the way for the reopening of the city to tourists in July. Since then, Dubai has seen a steady increase in visitors, underpinned by comprehensive measures to safeguard the wellbeing of our guests. Going into 2021, Dubai will continue to strengthen its offering for business and leisure visitors with the launch of new facilities and attractions, as well as the return of world-class conferences, events and festivals including the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival, and the first ever World Expo to be held in this region.” Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said, …

Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is ramping up its marketing efforts worldwide through a brand new global campaign, ‘Live Your Story’ designed to highlight the unique ways in which travellers can create their own special holiday experiences across the city. The ‘Live Your Story’ campaign was launched as a digital activation on Emirates’ popular inflight entertainment system, and will be gradually rolled out this month in 20 languages and via multiple platforms in key source markets that have reopened amid the pandemic. The campaign encourages visitors to enjoy much more than the world famous landmarks and attractions that are synonymous with Dubai’s tourism offering. It underscores the many exciting choices that await travellers and invites them to customise exceptional and ‘Only in Dubai’ experiences to suit their tastes, as well as bond with and benefit from the diversity of cultures that are intrinsic to the social fabric of this global metropolis. Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, “As Dubai continues to welcome international tourists, we are also constantly looking at innovative ways to sustain global interest and consideration for the city as the first choice destination for travellers. With an ever-evolving destination proposition, Dubai is renowned for its array of offerings that visitors can enjoy, whether they are first timers or repeat visitors. However, as we make the transition to the new normal, people will be seeking unique and personalised travel experiences, and this campaign highlights our readiness to cater to such preferences. ‘Live Your Story’ shows a transformative shift in the way we position Dubai from a city of iconic skyscrapers and landmarks to a destination that celebrates …