With an financial system depending on worldwide tourism, it was no shock to see Dubai reopen its doorways to travellers in July.
The industrial capital of the United Arab Emirates counts on the sector for over ten per cent of gross home product, or upward of US$30 billion, every year.
Nevertheless, what was not inevitable, was the success the emirate has welcomed over the next months.
A strict testing regime at Dubai Worldwide Airport sees all company checked for Covid-19 on arrival, limiting imported circumstances.
On the identical time, complete protocols govern the day-to-day actions of each residents and company throughout the emirate.
Mixed, these measures have allowed the town to curtail the expansion of the pandemic, and led to the return of one thing like regular life.
As Shahab Shayan, senior supervisor for worldwide operations at Dubai Tourism, tells Breaking Journey Information: “We reopened on July seventh, and since then we now have made certain there are strict tips and protocols in place, and that they’re adopted.
“We now have used the World Well being Organisation (WHO) tips, that are primarily to check, check and check – up to now, we now have carried out round 14 million exams right here within the United Arab Emirates.
“On prime of that, we try to ensure safeguards for residents and for guests coming to the vacation spot are being met.
“There are frameworks from the World Journey & Tourism Council, known as Safe Travels, in addition to the Dubai Assured programme, each of that are being adhered to throughout the emirate.
“All buyer touchpoints, throughout accommodations, eating places, and buying malls have seen the laws enforced – all public spots.
“Checks are carried out on a bi-weekly foundation; we ship inspectors in to ensure all essential protocols are being applied.”
This was because of be a banner yr for Dubai, with the emirate hoping to welcome 20 million worldwide company for the primary time.
Whereas the determine is not going to now be achieved, a home increase has made up for a few of the short-fall, with plans in place to make sure progress returns in 2021.
Shayan explains: “We now have seen a giant home increase in tourism since we reopened in July.
“We had round 750 accommodations open in Dubai pre-pandemic, in February this yr, and we at present have round 600 open.
“There was some worldwide visitation, and we’re a optimistic feeling shifting ahead.
“At this stage we aren’t in a position to put a determine on what number of company we’ll welcome this yr, with accommodations opening and shutting, it has been a extra advanced state of affairs than regular.
“Nevertheless, we hope to have some numbers out by the top of the yr.”
Whereas the market seems more likely to stay subdued within the short-term, funding has continued to circulation into the emirate, suggesting confidence in a long-term return.
Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk lately turned the newest in a protracted line of accommodations to open this yr, whereas properties set to come back onto the market in coming months will enable the emirate to achieve beforehand untapped segments.
Shayan continues: “There are new properties opening, which does present the energy of the trade right here in Dubai.
“We now have the Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk which has lately opened, whereas there may be additionally the Rove La Mer Beach.
“The latter is an inexpensive lodge, geared toward households who wish to be proper subsequent to the seaside, however don’t wish to pay Palm Jumeirah costs – actually for these within the know.
“There’s additionally the Riu Dubai, a four-star seaside resort, the primary of its sort right here in Dubai – with round 800-keys.
“These are all very thrilling openings and present our energy in the long run.”
In fact, there can be little level opening new rooms if travellers have been unable to get to the emirate.
Flag-carrier Emirates has been instrumental within the success of Dubai as a tourism vacation spot over the previous three many years, and there was no change this yr.
“Emirates stays certainly one of our key strategic companions and so they actually have been because the emergence of Dubai on the world hospitality map,” says Shayan.
“They’ve executed a improbable job all through the pandemic, initially by offering insurance coverage for travellers, which has now been prolonged till the top of the yr.
“They’ve additionally gone again to 2 thirds of their community, and they’re now flying to over 90 locations.
“Emirates has additionally given residents who wish to come again to Dubai an opportunity to take action, and this has been getting some very optimistic suggestions.”
The provider most recently returned to a collection of European cities, whereas it has additionally been on the forefront of Covid-19 testing.
Over the summer time months, when demand is historically low, even with out a world pandemic raging, Dubai has additionally labored to develop new markets.
New sorts of visa at the moment are on supply, each to these trying to ‘work-from-home’ in Dubai, or contemplating someplace to retire.
Each are a part of a wider plan to develop the emirate in new instructions, explains Shayan: “As a vacation spot we at all times want to take a look at how we will evolve, totally different angles of how we will introduce totally different folks to what’s on supply right here.
“There’s a huge perception at Dubai Tourism that it is a metropolis for all, and we attempt to showcase that via merchandise we now have, in addition to via the initiatives we launch.”
He provides: “The 2 new visas are an instance of that.
“The retirement visa is fairly easy, it’s geared toward individuals who have been to Dubai earlier than, who’ve spent a while right here and are on the lookout for a vacation spot which has solar, sea and sand.
“They know their retirement funds are doing properly, there isn’t any difficult paperwork, and it’s a straightforward step ahead.
“Secondly, I believe the work visa is certainly one of most enjoyable issues we now have executed in the course of the pandemic.
“On this new day-and-age, with folks working from residence, what higher place to work from than by the pool right here in Dubai?
“We now have the right eco-system to assist this market, and we now have had main success by way of enquiries on this – folks asking how they’ll make the transfer.
“This can be a good different to individuals who might need travelled to Dubai, who can now spend a while right here longer-term.”
As consideration turns to subsequent yr, and a attainable Covid-19 vaccine brings hope to the worldwide hospitality market, Dubai is properly positioned to return to progress.
The rescheduled Expo 2020 Dubai will present a focus for the yr, whereas there may be optimism Covid-19 laws may finally be relaxed.
Shayan continues: “Expo 2020 Dubai will now happen in October subsequent yr, operating into March 2022.
“There are loads of improbable folks engaged on the mission and they’re trying into how finest we will showcase the expertise of an occasion of this sort within the post-pandemic world.
“I believe, with the expo itself, it’s actually meant to be an occasion for all.
“Lots of people initially thought it was for a enterprise market, however this isn’t the case – it is vitally a lot aimed on the public, providing an opportunity to come back and be taught.
“The workforce, proper now, are analyzing how they’ll come again stronger, to reassure everyone issues are going to be managed properly.”
In closing, Shayan says Dubai is now as soon as once more very a lot open for enterprise: “Dubai is basically open for all, and with the totally different protocols and measures we now have put in place we’re very assured we’re able to welcome folks safely.
“The message may be very a lot that we’re prepared.”
Extra Info
Dubai is taken into account the Middle East’s Leading Destination by voters on the World Travel Awards.
Discover out extra about visiting on the official website.
