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Department of Economy and Tourism

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Dubai Tourism Statistics

In just a few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a desert backwater into one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. And now, the city is aiming to become the most visited tourist destination on the planet, with a new tourism strategy that is targeting 25 million visitors by 2025.

To achieve this goal, the city is investing heavily in infrastructure, hotels, tourist attractions, and shopping malls.

The city has already taken steps to improve its infrastructure and visitor experience.

The extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro has made it possible for visitors to reach new areas of Dubai that were previously difficult to reach by public transport.

Dubai is constantly evolving, and there are always new attractions to see and experience.

One of the latest additions to the city is Ain Dubai , which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. For those who want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, this is a must-see attraction. The View at the Palm also offers stunning panoramic views.

The Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind institution that explores the latest technological innovations, while Madame Tussauds Dubai brings iconic celebrities to life with lifelike wax figures.

These new attractions are sure to wow visitors and continue to put Dubai on the map as a must-see destination.

The city is home to some of the most luxurious and opulent hotels in the world, and new properties are being built all the time. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal, and W Dubai Mina Seyahi are just three of the hotels that opened in 2022.

These developments have made Dubai even more appealing to tourists from all over the world. There is no doubt that it is on track to becoming the most visited city on earth.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021.

However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so a more accurate comparison is with pre-pandemic figures.

In the first half of 2019, 8.36 million tourists visited the city. This means that while there has been an increase in tourism since the pandemic began, the number of tourists has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the difference between the 2022 and 2019 figures is due to the loss of Chinese tourists. In the first 6 months of 2019, 501,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai. In 2022, China’s borders remained effectively sealed as the country continued to pursue a zero-tolerance approach to a virus that other parts of the world have accepted as endemic.

However, with vaccines now available and travel restrictions beginning to ease, it is expected that Dubai will soon return to the pre-pandemic growth levels.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

After a difficult year in 2020, Dubai’s tourism industry saw a rebound in visitor numbers in 2021. With global travel ramping up and COVID-19 restrictions easing, the city welcomed back tourists from all over the world.

In total, 7.28 million visitors arrived in the city in 2021, compared to 5.51 million in 2020. This was a significant increase of over 32 per cent.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the statistics for the first half of 2022, the top five countries of origin for visitors are India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia.

These five countries account for over 40 per cent of all visitors to Dubai. However, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of visitors from other countries as well.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

India has always been an important market for Dubai’s tourism sector, and that was no different in 2021. India remained the city’s top international visitor source market, accounting for 910,000 visitors. That’s a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Many factors have contributed to India being the top source of visitors. One is the abundance of direct flights that make it convenient and affordable for Indian travellers to visit Dubai. Another is the wide range of hotel options, which appeals to a broad range of travellers.

Saudi Arabia had the second highest number of visitors in 2021 with 491,000 visitors. This was an increase of over 22 per cent from the previous year. This is a very impressive result, especially considering that Saudi Arabia closed its borders to all travel up to May 2021.

Russia was again one of the city’s largest tourism source markets, with 444,000 visitors in 2021, an increase of 50 per cent from the previous year.

Visitors from Oman, historically one of Dubai’s top five source markets, were significantly reduced in 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Omani government reopened its borders with the UAE to vaccinated travellers in September 2021.

Visitors by Source Market – January to June 2022 and 2021

Western Europe and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) were the top source markets for the city in the first 6 months of 2022.

As noted above, Oman and Saudi Arabia have historically been amongst Dubai’s top international visitor source markets. Both of these GCC countries had strict travel restrictions in place for much of 2021.

Purpose of Visit

The data for 2021 and previous years shows that most people travel to Dubai for leisure reasons, whether it be to enjoy the city’s many attractions or to relax in its luxurious hotels and resorts. Business travellers accounted for 12 per cent of all visitors to the city in 2021, which was consistent with 2020. Many business visitors are attracted by events such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.

The proportion of travellers visiting the city to see friends and relatives in 2021 rose to 16 per cent, up 3 per cent from 2020.

Hotels – Room Nights

In 2021, hotels in Dubai bounced back from the pandemic with some of their best results ever.

Thanks to a strong rise in the number of domestic guests, the city’s hotel industry had the second highest number of room nights sold on record. The remarkable figure of 31.47 million was only slightly down on the pre-pandemic peak of 32.11 million recorded in 2019.

Guests also stayed longer in 2021, averaging 4.6 nights compared to 4.2 nights the year before.

Hotels – Number and Occupancy

In 2021, Dubai offered more hotel choices to travellers, as the city’s hotel room inventory grew. At the end of the year, the city had a total of 755 hotels and hotel apartments with 137,950 rooms available. This is compared to 711 hotels and hotel apartments with 126,947 rooms at the end of 2020.

This increase in the number of hotel rooms provided travellers with more options to find lodging that met their needs and budget.

The average hotel occupancy rate in 2021 was 67 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2020.

Hotels – Location

Hotels and hotel apartments are found in many areas of Dubai.

The areas with the greatest number of rooms are Deira , Al Barsha , Jumeirah , Downtown Dubai , and Dubai Marina .

The Palm Jumeirah has the highest proportion of 5-star rooms. 87 per cent of available rooms here are in 5-star hotels. Bur Dubai has the lowest proportion of 5-star rooms.

Jebel Ali and Deira are best for budget visitors. In both of these areas, the proportion of rooms in 1 to 3-star hotels is just under 40 per cent.

Top World Cities by Visitor Numbers

According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018 (published September 2019), Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. Only Bangkok, Paris, and London attracted more overnight visitors.

Dubai was the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

Dubai topped the list for both total and average daily visitor spending. The average visitor to the city spent $533 (£464.17, €538.95, 1957.76 AED) per day in 2018, much higher than in any of the other cities.

Total visitor spending in Dubai for the year was $30.82 billion.

At the time of writing (September 2022), Mastercard has not published the report for any years after 2018.

Dubai International Airport Passenger Numbers

According to a report from Airports Council International (published in April 2022), Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world’s busiest airport in 2021 in terms of international passenger traffic.

The busiest airport in terms of total passengers (international and domestic) was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The UAE is a small country. There are no domestic flights from Dubai International Airport or any other airport in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah).

Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of the world’s airports.

Top Tourist Attractions

According to Tripadvisor the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai (September 2022) are:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Fountain
• Dubai Miracle Garden
• Global Village
• Dubai Frame
• Atlantis Aquaventure
• Burj Al Arab
• Dubai Creek
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Mall of the Emirates
• The Lost Chambers
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Dubai Marina
• LEGOLAND Dubai

Tripadvisor is a travel website that helps users find hotels, restaurants, and activities for their upcoming trips. The website also includes user-generated reviews and ratings, as well as photos and videos. It is a great resource for travellers who want to get the most out of their trip.

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Tourism Performance Report January - December 2023

Performance reports

Wed, January 17, 2024

Dubai welcomed 17.15M overnight visitors in Jan - Dec 2023, with an increase of +19% compared to Jan - Dec 2022.

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Total international visitors

• 17.15 M in 2023
• 14.36 M in 2022
• 16.73 M in 2019

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Dubai's international visitor numbers nearly triple in first half of 2022

Mena, gcc, western europe and south asia were among top source markets, leading to 7.12 million visitors during the period.

Tourists walk along the bridge from Jumeirah Beach Residence to Bluewaters Island on a cool January day. The city is one of the global hubs fully open to tourists, who have flocked there for a break from lockdown at home. AP

Dubai hosted 7.12 million international visitors in the first half of 2022, nearly three times the 2.52 million tourists recorded in the same period last year, as it pursues its goal to become the world's most visited destination.

The number brings the emirate closer to its pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels of 8.36 million arrivals in the first six months of 2019, despite the impact of “unprecedented challenges” and “macroeconomic factors” affecting the global economy and tourism sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) said in a statement.

The government agency attributed the surge in visitor numbers to the momentum generated by Expo 2020 Dubai, which ended on March 31, and the emirate's status as a safe destination.

Hosting leisure and business events — including the Dubai Shopping Festival, the World Government Summit and the Arabian Travel Market — also boosted visitor numbers.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the emirate's Executive Council, said the city's efforts to become “the world’s best place to live, work and invest in” had contributed to the resurgence of Dubai’s tourism sector.

The growth in the number of tourist arrivals “reflects the resilience and dynamism of the emirate’s economy”, he said.

“The rapid rise in international tourist arrivals puts Dubai on track to achieve its ambitious target of becoming the world’s most-visited destination,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

The emirate — the Middle East's travel, trade and finance centre — relied on the tourism industry for 11.6 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2019.

The sector is recovering quickly from the impact of the coronavirus-induced slowdown, helped by the UAE's effective containment of Covid-19 and the easing of travel restrictions globally.

The travel and tourism sector plays a key role in Dubai's non-oil private sector economy, which expanded at its quickest pace in three years in June, the headline S&P purchasing managers' index for the emirate showed.

Surveyed businesses reported a marked improvement in tourism-related business activity in Dubai as travel restrictions continued to ease around the world.

Dubai's top source markets

The first-half rise in international visitor numbers was helped by the emirate's focus on diversifying its source markets, the DET said.

Western Europe and the GCC each accounted for 22 per cent of the overall number of tourists to Dubai.

South Asia made up 16 per cent, the Mena region contributed 12 per cent while Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and eastern Europe together accounted for 11 per cent of total visitors to Dubai.

“The wide geographic spread reflects Dubai’s diversified strategy aimed at driving traffic from a broad spectrum of countries and visitor segments, mitigating the risks associated with over-reliance on any one region,” DET said.

India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Russia were the top five source markets for visitors to Dubai

Dubai's hotels busier

The surge in international visitors helped to fill Dubai's hotels during the reporting period, raising occupancy levels, despite an increase in hotel room capacity, the DET's data showed.

The average hotel occupancy rate between January and June rose to 74 per cent, one of the world’s highest, compared with 62 per cent in the same period a year ago.

This was slightly lower than the 76 per cent occupancy rate recorded during the same period in 2019, before the onset of the pandemic.

Hotels were busier, despite a 19 per cent increase in room capacity over the same period in 2019.

Dubai’s hotel inventory by the end of June 2022 comprised 140,778 rooms across 773 hotel establishments, up from 118,345 rooms across 714 establishments at the end of June 2019, the DET said.

Meanwhile, the total number of hotels in the first half of 2022 grew by an annual 8 per cent as investors continued to back Dubai's tourism sector.

Revenue per available room (RevPar) — a key industry metric — for hotels in the emirate surged by an annual 76 per cent to Dh417 ($113.55). RevPar also increased 24 per cent from the 2019 first-half level of Dh336.

The average daily rate of Dh567 in the first half exceeded the levels recorded in the same period in 2021 (Dh382) and 2019 (Dh444), growing 48.5 per cent and 28 per cent, year on year, respectively.

. @HHShkMohd ’s vision to make Dubai the city of the future and the world’s best place to live, work and invest in has reinforced the emirate’s position as a global tourism destination of choice — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) August 7, 2022

The GCC's hospitality industry will return to pre-coronavirus levels in 2022, boosted by an increase in the number of tourist arrivals, easing visa regulations and the hosting of big events such as the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, according to Alpen Capital.

The industry's revenue is set to grow by 74.8 per cent a year to $26.3 billion in 2022, as regional governments invest heavily in developing business, leisure and entertainment centres, it said in a report last week.

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ATM 2024: Dubai attracts 5.1 million visitors in Q1 2024, marking a 11% increase from last year

Travel & tourism.

Western European markets lead visitor influx to Dubai, followed by South Asian tourists

Dubai: Dubai welcomed 5.18m international overnight visitors in the first three months of 2024, 11 per cent higher than the first quarter of last year, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) revealed.

DET has said that the Emirate saw 4.67m tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023.

Hotels in the Emirate recorded an occupancy rate of 83 per cent, ranking among the highest globally, said Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Dubai remains committed to delivering an exceptional tourism experience, aligned with the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai’s position as one of the world's top three cities for tourism,” he shared.

Issam Kazim, the CEO of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), credited the robust growth numbers to increased global airline capacities and the Emirate’s ‘diversified approach to boosting its tourism numbers’.

“We always talked about Dubai being home to different nationalities. But we’re also attracting tourists from across the globe,” he said.

According to DET, the majority of Dubai's tourists, totalling 1.138 million arrivals, hailed from Western European markets, followed by 869,000 South Asian visitors.

About 817,000 visitors were recorded from countries belonging to the CIS States and Eastern Europe, 605,000 from the MENA region, 664,000 from the GCC region, and 344,000 from the Americas.

“For us, the opportunities exist from a point-to-point perspective where we’ve seen great growth. But we are constantly leveraging the connectivity and the role Dubai plays in connecting the rest of the world through Dubai International Airport (DXB),” explained Kazim.

DXB retained its crown as the world’s busiest international hub for the 10th year in a row, according to Airports Council International, catering to 86.9 million passengers in 2023. The world’s busiest passenger hub is expected to announce its Q1 2024 figures sometime in the coming days.

“So it shows there is a transit opportunity, a chance to get people through the doors for the first time and create repeat visitors,” said Kazim. He added that about 25 per cent of the visitors in Dubai are repeat visitors. “By repeat, I mean they come back to Dubai again and again within 12 months. So that is again the number that solidifies Dubai’s position regarding quality of service,” he added.

Kazim also said the opening of the new passenger terminal planned for Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), is expected to boost visitor numbers and investments.

“This airport aims to attract visitors to Dubai and facilitate business travel and logistics. These developments align well with our strategy to attract more visitors, new residents, and businesses to Dubai,” he stated.

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Bader Ali Habib spotlights Dubai's tourism success and potential at ATM 2024

City saw an astounding 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, according to DET

Dubai remains the top choice for Pakistani tourists due to its smooth visa process, proactive public health measures, and diverse attractions. Its strategic location as a global tourist hub also makes it easily accessible. Added to this appeal is the city’s multicultural environment and growing community of Pakistani celebrities, offering a sense of familiarity and belonging. According to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city saw an astounding 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, with a remarkable 19.4% increase compared to the previous year's 14.36 million arrivals. In this year alone, within the first 2 months of 2024, the city experienced 3.67 million international tourists.

This solidifies Dubai's status as the top global destination for the third consecutive year, as recognised by the esteemed Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. This was further cemented when the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 attracted 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries, drawing over 41,000 attendees. Thought leaders, industry strategists, and travel professionals came together to delve into the theme of “Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship.”

This four-day event featured Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at DET, who engaged with prominent media representatives from Pakistan, talking in depth about Dubai’s strategic initiatives and future potential.

Bader shared the visitation numbers from Pakistan to Dubai during the first quarter of 2024, highlighting the promising figure and the prospect for an outstanding year ahead. “We welcomed approximately 92,000 overnight visitors, representing those who stayed in our hotels. This number is encouraging,” he said.

Also read:  Arabian Travel Market 2024 kicks off in Dubai

Detailing the various visa options, Bader took a deep dive into visa offerings such as the Golden Visa, Investment Visa, and Retirement Visa, all of which are personalized to cater to different needs, with continuous introduction of new initiatives. For instance, he said that right after the pandemic, Dubai's public health strategy was proactive, as it immediately removed protocols after running a successful vaccination campaign, demonstrating the city’s commitment to safety, gaining global recognition, and attracting people to Dubai. Bader emphasised inviting visitors for memorable experiences, aiming to encourage them to return and settle in Dubai, especially when various Pakistani celebrities have decided to choose it as their second home, via obtaining Golden Visas and investing in properties, facilitated by ownership laws in free zones.

He stressed that Dubai aims to rank among the top three cities globally for living and working, to stay aligned with the D33 vision outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashi. He noted that as one of the most visited cities globally, their focus remains on enhancing this status by attracting more visitors and residents alike, to experience Dubai’s diverse offerings, and mentioning that their investments in the city have been steadily increasing annually.

Bader further highlighted Dubai's appeal for investors, citing factors such as safety, infrastructure, and ease of doing business, which contribute to a conducive investment environment. “The assurance of safety and security, coupled with robust infrastructure and an excellent schooling system, makes Dubai an attractive destination for families. The ease of doing business further enhances its appeal, with the ability to obtain licenses and permits online through our fully digitized e-government platform. Additionally, Dubai benefits from excellent connectivity with numerous flights to and from Pakistan, with Karachi being conveniently close, making travel to and from the region effortless for residents and visitors alike.”

Bader outlined Dubai's localised brand campaign in Pakistan, named “Chalo Dubai”, aiming to showcase the city's unique attractions and engage Pakistani audiences. “We ensured the use of Pakistani talent and a bilingual Urdu-English language strategy for resonance. The campaign was deployed across digital platforms and TV channels for maximum visibility. Additionally, various PR initiatives like content partnerships were undertaken to reinforce brand messaging. This integrated approach resulted in a boost in both engagement and conversion rates.”

During the conversation, Bader also emphasised exploring the realm of social media influencers at an annual global event in Dubai. He mentioned the second edition of the One Billion Followers Summit, held in January 2024, which featured more than 3,000 content creators from around the world. “The summit invited influencers and KOLs to discuss the way forward in the digital media. His Highness also announced grants for content creation during the summit,” he said.

Wrapping up the discussion, Bader discussed Dubai's sustainable tourism initiative, emphasising the compliance measures to ensure city-wide sustainability. He mentioned the launch of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Initiative last year, a significant move for collective sustainability. Hosting COP28 further demonstrated UAE's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives, like the REEF project, aim to deploy 20,000 reef models, enhancing biodiversity. Dubai has made strides in promoting sustainability, including a city-wide effort to eliminate single-use plastics from all entities. Bader noted their offices proudly adhered to this directive, with no single-use plastics in sight.

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Dubai road toll revenue hits $153m as tourism flourishes

Revenue generated by Dubai’s road toll operator Salik rose 8 percent year on year to AED562 million ($153 million) in the first quarter of 2024, as the number of tourists to the city continues to rise.

There were 122 million revenue-generating trips through eight toll gates in the first three months of the year.

Net profit edged up nearly 1 percent year on year to AED277 million, despite a 9 percent corporate tax coming into effect this year.

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Profit before tax was AED305 million, an increase of 11 percent year on year.

Salik generated free cash flow of AED354 million in the first quarter.

• Salik doubles dividend pay to $300m as revenue surges 12%
• Toll operator Salik targets 10% revenue rise in 2023
• Salik profit down 4.1% despite record toll revenue

Salik cited the increase in the number of tourists to Dubai has been cited as one of the factors in revenue growth.

Last week the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism announced at the annual Arabian Travel Market that the number of visitors to the emirate rose 11 percent to 5.2 million in the first three months of 2024.

Salik expects its full-year 2024 revenue-generating trips to increase in the range of 4 to 6 percent year on year.

“We continue to thrive in our core tolling business and remain focused on diversifying our portfolio through the expansion of ancillary revenue streams,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of Salik.

Al Tayer added that two new gates are expected to be operational in Dubai by November.

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Tourism Performance Report January - December 2022

Performance reports

Thu, January 19, 2023

Dubai welcomes 14.36M overnight visitors in Jan - Dec 2022, with the highest number of international guest from India at 1.8M

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Visitor Performance By Source Market – Jan - Dec 2022 | Source Of Visitors By Region (% Jan - Dec 2022)

Top 20 Source Markets For Visitors To Dubai (‘000 Visitors Jan - Dec 2022)

Accommodation Supply And Demand – Jan - Dec 2022 | Hotel Inventory By Category And Performance KPIs

Accommodation Supply And Demand – Jan - Dec 2022 | Dubai Visitors Drive Economic Growth in Hotels

PRESSR: Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade carried out a wide range of monitoring and field tours at markets across city in Q1 2024

• Consumer Protection Department meets with suppliers and traders to introduce them to efficient and transparent complaint-handling mechanisms

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), a part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), carried out an extensive series of field and monitoring tours to Dubai markets and commercial establishments in Q1 2024. The initiative bolstered DCCPFT’s ongoing awareness campaign to highlight the rights and responsibilities of traders and consumers, ensuring a fair experience for all, and ultimately promoting competitiveness within the business sector in Dubai.

These tours were undertaken to maintain market stability, in line with the wise leadership's vision of positioning Dubai as the best city to visit, live and work in, under the ambitious Dubai's Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy and further consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities over the next decade.

Officials from the Consumer Protection Department of DCCPFT met traders and consumers during 232 tours, focusing on high-footfall destinations, especially during Ramadan. These destinations included food markets, retail outlets, beauty stores and tailoring shops.  Officials urged traders to prominently display the consumer protection number and contact phone numbers for customer complaints, ensuring a convenient and seamless customer feedback process. During these tours, the Consumer Protection Department  held meetings with several suppliers and outlet officials, emphasising the importance of transparently managing consumer complaints and handling them efficiently and responsibly.

Meanwhile,  the Intellectual Property Protection Department (IPP) of DCCPFT continued its monitoring tours to ensure the protection of local and international intellectual property rights , partly in response to requests from brand owners and commercial agencies. Such visits fall under the Department’s regular monitoring campaigns to address the concerns of traders and consumers alike. During Q1 2024, the IPP Department received 199 requests related to registered trademarks, eight of which were from commercial agencies and required cooperation with the Ministry of Economy in order to be dealt with effectively.

Furthermore, the Department regularly coordinated with other government entities to carry out campaigns to ensure IP rights are not being violated by all traders in the emirate and take the necessary action if needed. During Q1 of this year, 63 campaigns were carried out in collaboration with the Department of Anti-Economic Crime at Dubai Police. Looking ahead, the Department intends to intensify such campaigns in cooperation with Dubai Police to monitor apartments that could be used to sell counterfeit goods. Such practices violate the law and expose consumers to danger when visiting these places.

Commenting on these efforts, Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Fair Trade and Consumer Protection, said: “DCCPFT is committed to conducting field tours to protect the rights of traders and consumers, as well as responding to consumer complaints and raising their awareness of their rights and obligations. In addition to regulating local markets to ensure a level playing field, fairness, equality, healthy competition and consumer protection, we are also committed to protecting intellectual property rights, while educating the business sector on the importance of registering and protecting these rights. Our efforts underline Dubai’s reputation as a safe market for international brands to operate and grow in, and one where consumers can confidently enjoy their retail experience.”

Al Saadi also emphasised DCCPFT’s focus on maintaining market stability, aligned with the vision of the wise leadership, and the goals of the D33 Agenda. “We call on consumers to report any commercial violations promptly and encourage business owners to protect and register their intellectual rights to avoid any future violations or legal liabilities,” explained Al Saaadi.

The IPP Department regularly organises programmes and initiatives to educate traders about their rights and obligations under relevant intellectual property laws. Continuous emphasis is also placed on avoiding malpractices, such as selling counterfeit products of certain international brands. Such initiatives are intended to optimise commercial control operations and facilitate market oversight across all economic sectors and fields.

The IPP Department also successfully carried out many monitoring tours during Q1 2024, covering over 10,000 commercial establishments, protecting the rights of local and international brands with ongoing workshops with their representatives, to ensure their IP files with DCCPFT are always up to date and their rights are protected.

Furthermore, the Consumer Protection Department’s field visits covered many locations and markets across Dubai, including the Waterfront Market, the Fruit and Vegetable Market in Al Warsan, the Union Coop at Etihad Mall, Carrefour City Centre Mirdif, Spinneys Jumeirah Branch, as well as the spice, textile and gold souks. The visits were aimed at ensuring retail outlets were prepared to meet high demand and maintain consistency between prices on display inside the outlet and prices at checkout counters.

About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (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 Dubai Economic Agenda, 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 this 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 visit, live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.

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. DET’s 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). 

About Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection & Fair Trade (DCCPFT):

Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection & Fair Trade (DCCPFT) is a subsidiary of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). DCCPFT seeks to create a conducive environment for fair trade and competition, drive economic stability by ensuring consumer and business protection and enhance the competitiveness of the business sector by curbing practices that negatively impact the market. It also ensures that new regulations are implemented in a business-friendly manner; promotes justice, transparency and fair competition; and supports the optimal functioning of the market for enterprises.

DCCPFT is also tasked with developing plans and policies related to fair trade and competitiveness and protection of consumer rights. The Corporation develops programmes and initiatives aligned with DET’s strategy and the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to protect intellectual property rights, review and resolve complaints filed by commercial establishments and consumers and organise awareness campaigns to promote consumer rights, fair trade and competition.

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LuLu joins hands with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) to support Small and Medium Enterprises development (SME)

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), LuLu has partnered with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) to enhance market opportunities and fostering innovation.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by Salim M.A., Director of LuLu Group and Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of SME, an integrated division of Department of Economic Development (DED) in the presence of Rafat Radwan Wahbeh, Director of Enterprise Development Department, and James K. Varghese, Director of LuLu Dubai and Northern Emirates.

Key highlights of this partnership include:

1. Support for Start-Up SMEs: The initiative aims to provide local SMEs with opportunities to extend their sales channels within the large network of Lulu Hypermarkets across Dubai.

2. Priority Listing for Dubai SME Members: Dubai SME Members will receive priority listing as vendors, facilitating easy access to market opportunities and visibility.

3. Promotion Through LuLu Platform: SMEs will benefit from promotional support through the extensive reach of the LuLu platform, further enhancing their market presence and growth prospects.

Speaking of the collaboration, Salim M.A., Director of LuLu Group, said, “We, as a local organization, have always believed in supporting local entrepreneurs and business entities. Through this partnership with DET, we intend to help and support young entrepreneurs and SMEs to build and scale their ventures.”

LuLu aims to create a conducive environment for SMEs to succeed and contribute to the vibrant business landscape of Dubai in partnership with Dubai Economy and Tourism.

Staff Report

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Dubai consolidates D33 impact of business events with participation at IMEX Frankfurt 2024

D UBAI, 15th May, 2024 (WAM) -- Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and a part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, is participating with its delegation in IMEX Frankfurt 2024.

The Dubai delegation includes more than 35 co-exhibiting stakeholders from partner organisations, working collaboratively to strengthen Dubai’s reputation as the destination of choice for leading international business events.

Exhibitors and delegates include DMCs, hotels, venues and airlines, including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emaar Hospitality Group, Hyatt Hotels, Atlantis the Palm Hotels & Resort.

Dubai’s participation is aligned with the main theme of this year’s IMEX – Impact – and the organiser’s call for the global business events industry to make a more positive impact through their events, personal and professional actions, commercial partnerships and more.

Dubai’s strategy for hosting meetings in the city continues to be anchored around identifying and attracting business events and delegates that can both contribute to visitation growth whilst also making a direct economic impact, through engagement with Dubai’s growing knowledge economy and the development of key sectors. This is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to establish Dubai as the foremost city to visit, live and work in, and ultimately invest in.

Underlining its reputation as a globally preferred host destination for impactful meetings, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) this week named Dubai the number one ranked city in the Middle East for the number of association meetings hosted in 2023, while Cvent also revealed Dubai was number one among the Top 10 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “The theme of IMEX this year, Impact, mirrors our ambitions for growth in the business events sector in Dubai. Driven by the D33 vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, we are focused on attracting events that make a positive impact on our knowledge economy and strengthen overall economic growth. To achieve this, we proactively work with our partners and stakeholders, showcasing the best Dubai has to offer the world, and, in doing so, seek to make a notable impact on our ambitious economic strategy. We are confident our collaborative effort at IMEX will help build on the growth momentum of recent bid wins and secure even more major international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives for the coming years.”

IMEX is an important part of DBE’s year-round efforts to promote the city as a premier business events destination and contribute to Dubai’s economic goals. The event has traditionally showcased Dubai’s growing prominence as a global business events hub and knowledge exchange platform. It is also an ideal opportunity for DBE to consolidate ties and collaborate with key industry partners, including the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), Best Cities Global Alliance, and the Global Association Hubs Partnerships.

Dubai welcomed 5.18 million overnight visitors between January and March 2024, an increase of 11 percent compared to the same period in 2023. This comes on the heels of a tremendous performance in 2023, with the city attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors. This represents a 19.4 percent YoY growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022.