DUBAI is emphasising its shopping, culinary and family-friendly offerings to South-east Asian markets, part of the emirate’s efforts to boost arrivals from the region under its Tourism Vision 2020 target.
Launched one year ago, Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020 target is focused on branding itself as a family destination to move from being just a renowned stopover hub, according to Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director of overseas offices, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
South-east Asia last year contributed 245,000 arrivals to Dubai’s total 11 million visitors, and the emirate is aiming for a 10-11 per cent growth in arrivals by 2025.
“This is quite small compared to the potential. From Indonesia, for example, we received 50,000 arrivals last year. The potential to grow is still huge. The family market is big here and the mid-range hotels give them an option,” said Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, senior executive – Europe region overseas offices, DTCM.
He told TTG Asia e-Daily: “Travellers from South-east Asia usually travel with families and enjoy shopping and gastronomy.”
Hareb was speaking in Jakarta last week, one of three countries in which DTCM was holding roadshows to highlight Dubai’s products and explore partnerships with local travel consultants. Roadshows were also held in Malaysia and Singapore.
The emirate will also welcome 20,000-30,000 new hotel rooms to the existing 85,000 by 2016. “Dubai has so many five-star and luxury properties and going forward, we are encouraging investors to develop the mid-market hotel segment by offering some incentives,” said Hareb.
On the newest developments in Dubai, Hareb shared: “We recently opened the Dubai City Walk in the downtown area from Burj Khalifa, with shops and restaurants where tourists can go and relax. The Walk, the beach at JBR, is also a new facility, with retail shops and cafes on the beach itself.”
New attractions such as Dubai Tram, Dubai Safari projects and the 14km Jumeirah Corniche will open by year-end while Wire World, the largest man-made adventure park, will open in November.
