KHALEEJ TIMES, Thursday, Sep 9, 2021 | Safar 2, 1443
Dubai Tourism continues to drive recovery with new phase of global campaign
Emirates:
Dubai welcomed 2.85 million international overnight visitors from January
to July 2021, further accelerating momentum in this landmark year of Expo 2020
and the UAE Golden Jubilee, the latest industry data by Dubai’s Department of
Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has revealed.
Supported by a solid network of stakeholders and partners, Dubai’s international
marketing outreach aims to build on the steady influx of visitors to Dubai since
the city was reopened to tourists in July 2020, and is further evidence of
Dubai’s consistent and calibrated approach since the start of the global
pandemic to ensure the destination remains resilient and safe for international
travellers. Dubai was one of the first cities globally to reopen its markets and
businesses, and continues to stay open, while ensuring strict compliance with
globally benchmarked health and safety protocols.
The UAE has one of the world’s highest per capita vaccination rates, with close
to 89 per cent of residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine,
and nearly 78 per cent having received both doses to-date. Boosted by demand for
staycations in the domestic market and visitation from international markets
that are open, hotels in Dubai enjoyed occupancy levels of 61 per cent overall
from January to July 2021. By the end of July 2021, Dubai’s hotel inventory
stood at 718 establishments offering 129,318 rooms with RevPAR increasing to
Dh225 compared to Dh194 for the same period in 2020. In the first seven months
of 2021, the occupied room nights for hotels stood at 16.34 million versus 10.74
million for the corresponding period in 2020.
According to data collected by STR, for the first seven months of 2021, Dubai
ranked second globally in terms of occupancy after Singapore and ahead of London
and Paris. For the January-July 2021 period, Dubai’s year-to-date RevPAR was
highest amongst the four destinations, followed by Singapore, Paris and London.
“Dubai’s ability to evolve and adapt has been critical in ensuring that the city
retained its position at the forefront of the world’s leading travel
destinations,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism. “As we continue to play a
pivotal role in the global tourism recovery with the support of our stakeholders
and partners, the positive growth that we have registered in the first seven
months of this landmark year for Dubai is also testament to the effective
citywide management of the pandemic that has enabled us to reassure travellers
and ensure their safety at every touchpoint from arrival to departure, as we
further enhance our position as one of the world’s safest destinations.”
Kazim added that the significant momentum generated across the tourism ecosystem
is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to
further enhance the position of Dubai as a global tourism destination and make
it the best city in the world to live in, work and visit.
“As part of our strategy, we have consistently used innovative campaigns to
further highlight the city’s multi-faceted touristic appeal,” he said. “This
synergetic approach to showcasing Dubai’s diverse offering involves the
enlistment of celebrities, influencers and community personalities, creating a
steady stream of ambassadors and advocates to constructively help narrate
Dubai’s story. This is reflected in a remarkable way through our latest
campaign, Dubai Presents, which highlights the array of attractions and
experiences that global travellers can enjoy and then turn those experiences
into engaging, memorable stories about Dubai.”
Dubai Presents features a series of blockbuster trailers, helmed by Hollywood
icons, and is designed to showcase the diversity of experiences, attractions and
events that await visitors this year including Expo 2020, which starts on
October 1 this year and celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of UAE’s
National Day on December 2.
Sholto Douglas-Home, chief sales and marcomms officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said:
“Expo 2020 Dubai is less than three weeks away from hosting the world for an
unmissable six-month celebration – one that promises to be an extraordinary
experience for visitors of all ages, nationalities and interests. No two days at
Expo will ever be the same, and with so much on offer, every guest will want to
visit many times and see for themselves the power of innovation and
collaboration that Expos can unleash.”
“It is with thanks to the magnificent support of our tourism, hospitality and
travel industry partners, that international visitors will be able to enjoy the
most diverse World Expo in history. Excitement is building, and we can’t wait to
welcome everyone to a truly exceptional World Expo – and one that marks a
historic milestone for our nation and our region, both safely and securely, as
we invite everyone to join the making of a new world,” Douglas-Home added.