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Destinations
Dubai
Dubai Economy and Tourism / ME2510, ME3110, ME3150
As one of the world’s most visited destinations, Dubai is flexing its muscle. Beyond the record-breaking attractions, such as the world’s tallest tower and largest mall, it boasts a stunning coastline and desert terrain in addition to an exciting cultural calendar, including the region’s largest literature festival and a year-round programme at the magnificent Dubai Opera. Just before the pandemic hit, Dubai saw a record number of visitors in 2019, up from 14.3 million in 2018 to 15 million. While these figures saw a decline as a result of COVID-19, recovery was fast-paced as tourism chiefs reopened the skies in July 2020. The emirate hosted 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021, according to Dubai Media Office. In spite of the ongoing crisis, Dubai implemented a comprehensive protocol for foreign travellers, including testing on arrival at Dubai International Airport. India remained the top source market, followed by Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Kingdom. With Expo 2020 Dubai opening in the last quarter of the year, visitor numbers increased again as people arrived from every corner of the globe
Burj Khalifa
for the world’s greatest show. The event drew over 24 million visits during its six months. As a result of hosting the world fair, the city’s public transport network has seen the addition of new routes along with further development across roads and other infrastructure. New hotels continue to launch with more high-end properties opening throughout the city and close to the Expo site. Luxury remains king with the largest number of rooms found in the city’s five-star hotels, but with rising numbers
of three and four-star properties, recent years have shown a massive diversification in the emirate’s tourism strategy and, in turn, its visitor numbers. Most recently, Dubai has raised the curtain on a host of new attractions, including the Museum of the Future and Ain Dubai – the world’s largest observation wheel. Both can be equally enjoyed in winter and the scorching summer as Dubai’s tourism chiefs are making sure the weather is no obstacle to drawing the crowds all year round.
Museum of the Future
With Expo 2020 Dubai, visitor numbers increased and the event drew over 24 million visits over the course of six months
Abu Dhabi
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi / ME2350, ME2310
Qasr Al Watan
The UAE capital has positioned itself as a business and leisure destination. After a robust vaccination strategy and strict travel protocols, Abu Dhabi is now coming out of the pandemic in a buoyant position. In spite of the global crisis, Abu Dhabi International Airport reported 5.26 million visitors in 2021, a small 5.5 percent drop from 2020. The emirate, which was only open to vaccinated travellers and implemented strict quarantine and testing protocols, has reopened slowly as it managed the ongoing travel challenges. Home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels for business and leisure, the UAE capital continues to be one of the region’s most opulent destinations. Over the last decade, Abu Dhabi has worked hard to place itself well and truly on the world map. From developing state-of-the-art cultural venues to hosting major sporting events, the emirate has become a leading destination for travellers of all kinds. Broadening its cultural offerings, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum will soon join the likes of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan and Qasr Al Hosn, which are currently must-see sights in the UAE capital.
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
Over the last decade, Abu Dhabi has worked hard to place itself well and truly on the world map Meanwhile, on Yas Island, an adventure offering awaits visitors of all age groups, with the island’s theme parks, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Clymb Abu Dhabi, drawing visitors
during every season. There is plenty for outdoor lovers, too, in the emirate, with the lush Jubail Mangrove Park, in addition to pristine, sandy beaches and the fiery dunes of the Empty Quarter in the remote southwest.
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