In the first four months of the year, Dubai welcomed more than 6m visitors as it tried to build its economy with the help of both the public and private sectors.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, paid a visit to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) on Monday.
Speaking during the visit, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the significance of promoting closer cooperation between the public and private sectors to support efforts to realise the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, launched earlier this year.
Dubai Tourism Boost
Sheikh Hamdan praised DET’s programmes and initiatives targeted at accelerating the growth of important economic sectors and stated that Dubai is dedicated to creating new opportunities for the private sector to support initiatives to further the emirate’s emergence as the best city in the world to live, work, and visit.
According to Sheikh Hamdan, Dubai is prepared to write new success stories as a worldwide hub for trade, enterprise, and innovation as well as a magnet for talent and investment. Dubai is on the verge of entering a new phase of outstanding further development.
Technologies
Dubai keeps increasing its future capability by embracing global changes and utilising next-generation technologies, he said.The city provides entrepreneurs and investors with a great platform to realise their dreams with its strong infrastructure, business-enabling services, and flexible, globally benchmarked legal framework paired with high levels of safety and security, he continued.
Helal Saeed Al Marri
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, as well as a number of other senior DET officials welcomed Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Ahmed at the DET headquarters.Helal Saeed Al Marri highlighted the considerable increase in new business establishments in the city in the first quarter of 2023 while providing an overview of the work carried out by DET and its subsidiaries as well as the advancement made in various activities and projects based on the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Business licenses
The number of new business licenses issued in Dubai during Q1 2023 increased by over 30% when compared to the same period in 2022, according to the most recent DET data, while the number of business licenses that were automatically renewed increased by 14% during the same period.
The Government Procurement Programmed of DET performed admirably in 2022, exceeding D33’s target of raising government spending.
Establishment
Members of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises received contracts and purchases for a combined AED1.12 billion under the scheme, an increase of more than 21.5 percent from 2021.
Al Marri emphasized the department’s efforts to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP while highlighting the sector’s accomplishments.
Manufacturing contributed 8.6% of GDP in 2022; this percentage is expected to rise to 9% over the following two years.
Dubai’s Position
Within the framework of measures intended to solidify Dubai’s position as a global hub for industry and export, the department is actively broadening the manufacturing base, optimizing supply chains, and implementing cutting-edge technology in industrial solutions.
A substantial portion of foreign tourists were drawn in by the global marketing programmers and activities the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) established.
In 2022, there were 14.4 million international visitors. DCTCM’s ongoing efforts to promote Dubai around the world were directly responsible for 57% of that total. These efforts have also generated millions of potential travellers for the future, particularly for the expected significant increase in visitors from 2023 to 2025.
These marketing initiatives have helped 11 million people plan their travels and furthered Dubai’s reputation as a top vacation destination worldwide.
Additionally, 6 million people have added the emirate to their bucket list of places to visit between now and 2025 as a result of the advertising.
Building on the momentum in the tourism industry, Dubai welcomed 6.02 million foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, an 18% increase from the same period in 2022. This is evidence of Dubai’s expanding popularity as a must-visit location around the world.
This has confirmed Dubai’s position as the top worldwide destination for the second year in a row according to the 2023 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
When it comes to travel bookings throughout 2022 and thus far in 2023, the city has regularly surpassed popular international locations like London, Paris, and Bangkok.
International Visitors
The emirate’s position as a top international travel and tourism destination has been further established by the average visitor spending rising by 6% from 2019 to 2020.
Through a variety of initiatives and activities, such as international marketing campaigns, the promotion of Dubai’s gastronomy scene, the growth of the holiday home sector, and improved transparency and governance in the short-term rental market, DET continues to implement strategies to maintain Dubai’s appeal for international travellers.
The city wants to eventually rank among the top three metropolitan economies in the world, become a leading city in the digital economy, and become a global hub for a green and sustainable economy.
