By Afnan Linjawi
Saudi Gazette
DUBAI — Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing aims to welcome 20 million tourists per year as part of its 2020 Vision.
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s most visited city, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector; marketing and promoting the Emirate’s commerce sector; and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents.
Brands within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment), Dubai Convention and Events Bureau and Dubai Calendar.
Dubai has a myriad of tourist attractions including Cruise Arabia which takes its passengers through Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman to promote the collective strengths of the Arabian Peninsula as a cruise destination. All three destinations boast an excellent and ever evolving tourism and hospitality infrastructure, offering passengers the opportunity to explore the sights, rich culture and romantic history of the Arabian Gulf.
The heart and soul of Dubai has always been Khor Dubai, or Dubai Creek, on the banks of which the Bani Yas tribe first settled and from where the city expanded and grew into the Dubai of today. The area already boasts a wealth of museums, galleries and sites of interest, but plans are now afoot to further restore and enhance the neighborhoods along the shores of the Creek, making them easier for visitors to explore. The redevelopment has been personally approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and while the entire project will take three years to complete, work on the first phase has already begun.
Focused on four key districts – namely Shindagha, Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi and Deira – the regeneration will offer visitors a fascinating view of Dubai’s rich history, particularly around trade, crafts and pearling. Covering 1.5 square kilometers, the development is based on five pillars: tradition – focusing on Emirati culture and drawing upon the stories of the area; heritage – protecting historical buildings; trade – preserving traditional souqs and reviving and celebrating traditional trade; community – sharing cultural experiences through restoring squares as gathering places for residents, and promoting performance arts; and finally place making – ensuring the original fabric of the area is preserved and made easy for visitors to navigate. A number of streets in Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi and Deira will be turned into car-free pedestrian walkways, with all of these pedestrian areas lined with historical stories that can be accessed through smart applications or through a newly created team of trained Emirati tour guides.
With year-on-year increases in visitor numbers, there is a need to continually add to the range of accommodation available to visitors. With approximately 85,000 rooms in the current stock, current estimates show that in the range of 20,000 - 30,000 more by the end of 2016, totaling between 105,000 and 115,000, the licensing of properties as holiday homes, will add further accommodation options. Furthermore, a key part of Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020 is to enhance the emirate’s existing family offering. In destinations around the world, holiday homes are popular with families due to the additional space, flexibility and facilities such accommodation provides.
In response to the increasing demand for tourist housing, the General Manager of the Address Boulevard Hotel Pascal Depuis said the hotel newly opened and is connected to Dubai Mall.
“One of our many unique features is our restaurant with its versatile design. It is one restaurant but it has many wings. Each wing has its own theme. We have the Parisian terrace, the library, the music room, the game room, the wardrobe and we have a secret room for two,” said Depuis.
He added the restaurant has 90 chefs and it offers a new menu every two months.
