Issam Kazim of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marking talks about DTCM plans to boost visitors to 20 million by 2020.
Dubai has made steady progress towards achieving the Tourism Vision of 20 million visitors per year by 2020, doubling the number welcomed in 2012, as reported by The National. All sectors of government are working together to help us achieve this; positive changes in visa regulations for countries such as Russia and China, and the World Economic Forum ranking the UAE as the second-safest country in the world, all add to our appeal as a leading global tourism destination.
Many of the top Dubai entertainment venues and attractions are located within a short distance from our latest development; Easy18. They include Dubai Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai Frame, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai Outlet Mall and Dubai Festival City. Major landmarks are currently in development in this part of Dubai as well. They include the world’s next tallest tower and largest shopping mall, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Cityland mall, Dubai Museum of the Future and many other. The Easy18 sales will commence in February 2018. Please explore our website and contact us if interested.
Mega-developments set to dominate the 2020 skyline include Bluewaters Island, featuring Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye), Du and Dubai Creek Harbour with its observation tower, set to become the tallest building in the world.
Cruise tourism is also playing a significant role in positioning Dubai as a must-visit destination, adding yet another attractive element to the city’s proposition. We had a very successful season in 2016-17, with over 625,000 cruise tourists visiting the city, via a total of 157 ship calls. This reflects an increase of 15 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, when compared to the previous season, and we look forward to another successful season this year, building towards our target of receiving one million cruise passengers in 2020.
The expanded connectivity provided by Dubai Airports and airlines such as Emirates and flydubai also means that Dubai is easily accessible from all corners of the globe. Globally, we are seeing travellers opt for multi-destination holidays, and Dubai as an aviation hub is in an ideal position to act as a launch pad into the wider Middle Eastern, South Asian and South American destinations.
One of Dubai’s core focuses has been on positioning the city as the world’s leading family destination, which is representative in the fact that families and couples now make up more than half of all travellers visiting the city. Tailored events, attractions and experiences such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG Worlds of Adventure and the newly-launched Dubai Safari Park have all been implemented to enhance Dubai’s global appeal among families and experience seekers.
Another focus for us is highlighting the heritage and culture that is unique to the city, through Dubai Historic District project, which is currently underway and aims to enhance the visitor experience in Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods of Al Fahidi, Shindagha, Bur Dubai and Deira. More modern landmarks such as the recently opened Dubai Opera and Etihad Museum, are also helping establish Dubai as a cultural hub.