The $2 coconuts and $3 kombucha on the menu represented more than half the daily salary of a worker who handpicks the tea leaves used to make this fermented beverage. Two fishermen were sitting on stilts in the sea, their fishing rods in hand. Waves ebbed. The sun became redder.

Grond’s video featured a cafe in Ahangama, a small town located 88 miles south of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Once a fishing town, it is now one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations.

It is well-known for its shoreline lined with coconut palms and is marketed as a surf destination and a hotspot for digital nomads during the busiest months of December through April.

Restaurants, hotels, and cafes

Many of Sri Lanka’s cities and towns are changing as the island nation strives for a robust tourism sector after its worst economic crisis in 2022. The trendy cafes, restaurants, and yoga studios that most residents cannot afford are taking the place of small grocers and neighbourhood food stands. Instead, these establishments primarily serve foreign tourists who have more money. Additionally, foreigners are increasingly occupying local spaces, sometimes illegally, operating businesses and providing services that are nearly exclusively targeted at Western tourists. Finding local cuisine in these gentrified areas is difficult.

Foreigners and Sri Lankans working in the industry are increasingly hostile toward locals, who feel marginalised and alienated in their own country.

A local owner was seen in a recent viral video on X denying entry to a group of local tourists at a souvenir shop in Galle Fort, a popular tourist destination in southern Sri Lanka. This action is illegal, as businesses, restaurants, hotels, and public entertainment venues in Sri Lanka cannot deny entry based on race, religion, caste, or sex.

To prevent foreign visitors from noticing the discrimination locals endure, social researcher Amalini De Sayrah reported seeing “foreigners only” signs at lodging facilities, spas, and party flyers. Such signs are sometimes written exclusively in Sinhala. According to De Sayrah, when she and her friends spoke in Sinhala, the small-to-mid-budget eateries and bars turned them away.

“It forces locals to either restrict their travels or to go to fancy, expensive places that don’t explicitly say locals aren’t allowed, though from their design and price point, you can say they were not designed for locals. Although a fraction of locals may afford these places, for those on a tighter budget, it often means paying more to be in spaces where they don’t feel welcome,” De Sayrah added.

In January, photographer Tashiya de Mel observed that foreign visitors had their own parking lots, entrances, ticket booths, and restrooms when she and her parents visited the Lion’s Rock, an old rock fortress in Sigiriya that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local visitors had their own facilities, but the elderly and disabled found it challenging to reach the well-known site due to the distance between the parking lot and the entrance.

Later, on a busy public holiday, local tour guides told foreigners to skip the line while elderly Sri Lankans had to wait in the sun to climb the Lion’s Rock. One of her followers shared this experience when de Mel posted it on Instagram and asked if they had had a similar experience. Some responded with stories of paying for beach parties when foreign guests weren’t required to or of being turned away from restaurants.

Tourism in Sri Lanka only started to increase in 2009, following the end of the nearly 30-year-long civil war, despite the establishment of the Ceylon Tourism Board in 1966. Sri Lanka was marketed as a ‘paradise island’ despite allegations of war crimes by the state, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists seeking beautiful tropical beaches, train trips to tea country, and historical sites. These attractions were affordably priced compared to many other travel destinations worldwide.

Nonetheless, separate restrooms for domestic and international passengers were maintained at train stations even back then. While the “foreigners only” restrooms were much cleaner, the locals’ restrooms were musty, with stained walls, cracked doors, wet floors, and overflowing bins.

The distinction between domestic and foreign visitors is now much more obvious as more and more visitors enter the nation. De Sayrah claimed that while young white backpackers, who typically spend less than locals, are more “welcome,” travellers of colour—even those who spend a lot of money—face prejudice and scrutiny. She said that if this keeps up, it might deter people of colour from visiting Sri Lanka.

Nabila Ismail, a Pakistani-American content creator, shared a video on Instagram earlier in January that showed how Sri Lanka’s tourism sector catered to white tourists.

According to the video, she was frequently the only person of colour in outdoor areas or wellness centres where white tourists were “surprised” to see someone of colour.

“I did not receive the same treatment as other travellers, especially in southern Sri Lanka. Apart from Ahangama, backpacker-friendly Unawatuna and surf hotspot Weligama in Sri Lanka’s south follow the same trends. Sometimes, people thought I was Sri Lankan. White tourists were greeted with smiles, while I had to flag down the staff several times for them to take my order. They did not greet me the same and never came to check on me like they did with other tables,” she said.

This belief that white foreign visitors should be treated better than residents and visitors of colour is the result of internalised racism and lingering colonial-era norms. White foreign visitors who can afford such wellness retreats are perceived as wealthier than the typical Sri Lankan, who earns in local currency.

“When I’m the only person of colour in a luxury hotel or a wellness space, it feels like I need to justify it or provide an explanation… about what I do for work, I must live abroad, I must not be Sri Lankan, but white tourists don’t have to explain themselves,” Ismail said.

“Our generosity is truly heartwarming, but the perception that locals are not deserving of that hospitality or that foreigners are more deserving of it is informed by things like the gamble that is the tourism economy. Foreign revenue is seen as essential to Sri Lanka’s economy, and when it comes to attracting it, anything goes,” De Sayrah said.

A significant contributor to Sri Lanka’s $84 billion economy is tourism. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, in 2018, tourism was the third-largest source of foreign exchange for the country, following remittances and the export of clothing.

Tourist arrivals hit a record high of over 2.33 million visitors. However, the industry did directly contribute just $4.3 billion, or 4.9% of the $88 billion national GDP that year. Just over two million tourists visited the nation in 2024.

However, successive administrations and industry leaders frequently promote Sri Lanka to the world and emphasise the number of visitors, portraying tourism as the island’s only hope.

The government started a global tourism marketing campaign in 2023 with the tagline “You’ll come back for more,” providing free visas to tourists from several nations, including China, India, and Russia. The tourism promotion bureau in Sri Lanka organised a $5 million campaign.

Athula Gnanapala, a professor of tourism management at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka’s Faculty of Management Studies, stated that although tourism generates revenue for the nation, local communities currently receive very little benefit from it.

According to Gnanapala, the most successful companies in the island nation are run by Colombo businesspeople, who typically employ locals. It doesn’t benefit the local community outside the capital if the hotel is owned by someone from Colombo and the employees are also from Colombo.

Menial, low-paying jobs are frequently held by locals who have little to no access to formal education and training in the hospitality industry.

“But if there is a proper mechanism to encourage, empower, and broaden their capacities, anyone—rich or poor—can be involved in tourism and benefit from it,” Gnanapala added.

Concerns have also been raised about the drive to draw in more tourists. The Sri Lankan government hopes to see three million visitors this year, and by 2028, it hopes to have five million.

According to Gnanapala, “I’m not sure if we really need to aim for that number.”

He believes that the strategy should concentrate on how many visitors the nation can handle annually, given the supply of hotels, services, and personnel, all without packing the attractions to capacity.

Sri Lanka’s limited resources make an unplanned and sudden increase in tourism potentially harmful. For example, the government’s ambitious plans do not include waste management and crowd control.

According to a University of Kelaniya study, hotels, guest houses, and restaurants in Unawatuna, a well-known southern tourist destination, discharge their waste into bodies of water without adequate drainage systems, contaminating both surface and groundwater.

Scholars have frequently mentioned the detrimental impacts of tourism, such as foreign visitors stealing jobs from locals and working illegally. With varying degrees of success, governments worldwide are enacting laws and policies to combat illegal employment.

For example, when Sri Lanka saw a spike in Russian and Ukrainian tourists following the 2022 conflict, there were rumours that individuals from both nations were allegedly bribing immigration officials to get resident visas and operating unlicensed, unregistered hotels and restaurants that avoided paying taxes. If not, a long-term tourist visa is only good for six months.

Working as a tourist is prohibited in Sri Lanka, although many foreign visitors work as therapists, DJs, bartenders, surfers, and photographers. Many Russian visitors frequently spend their money in Russian-owned establishments, which then send the money home.

The public was outraged by a Russian-run cafe’s “whites-only” party in 2024. Russians and Ukrainians were ordered to leave the country or apply for new visas by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, but then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe resisted the order.

In 2024, the number of Israeli tourists visiting Sri Lanka doubled to 20,000, with many of them being off-duty soldiers seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Arugam Bay, a small surf town in eastern Sri Lanka with 4,000 residents, mostly Muslims, is now home to about 1,000 Israelis. Surfing etiquette disputes between local surfers and visitors have been reported.

According to Gnanapala, while foreign visitors are establishing businesses in the country, locals are searching for employment overseas. Brain drain is still a major problem in the travel and tourism sector.

Every year, thousands of locals, including highly qualified professionals with industry training, depart Sri Lanka because living in these tourist-heavy areas is difficult for them due to the low pay and unfavourable working conditions.

According to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, over 311,000 Sri Lankans looked for work overseas in 2024.

Additionally, local tourists are being priced out more and more. Locals can no longer afford the limited hotel rooms available because high tourist demand drives up prices, Gnanapala noted.

Real estate costs gradually rise in tandem with the cost of goods and services, pushing residents from their homes. This has also discouraged local tourists from visiting the southern part of the country.

In his explanation of the future, Gnanapala stressed the value of integrating locals in the growth of tourism and offering strategies that would directly benefit them while lessening the negative effects on the environment, culture, and natural resources.

“Their primary concern is to make profits,” he said, referring to outsiders, including foreigners and Sri Lankans from other regions, who open hotels. However, for the locals, it is their birthplace, their home, and their land.

“The local economy can benefit greatly from tourism, but it can also suffer negative effects,” Ismail stated.

The island’s identity is being eroded, in her opinion, by the growing number of foreign visitors.

She claimed that qualities like health, Ayurveda, and a relationship with nature are “marketed as foreign concepts…making Sri Lankans feel like outsiders in their own country.”

Instead of displacing local culture, tourism should enhance it.

“At the moment, I think [tourism] is taking away a lot more than it’s giving,” photographer de Mel continued.

She stated that Sri Lanka must “think about the type of tourists we attract, the type of tourism we want,” and strategically position itself.

Activist Riz Razak recently expressed similar worries on Instagram, highlighting the necessity of improved planning, infrastructure, and regulations to stop the increase in undocumented foreign labour.

“What do we gain by letting outsiders in and losing everything natural, historical, and cultural?” he asked.

In a critical move towards securing the next payout of a $2.09 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sri Lanka’s power regulator has announced a 15% increase in household power tariffs.

According to KPL Chandralal, the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, businesses in the tourism sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange earnings for the island nation, will see a 202% increase in power prices, while industries will see a 205% hike. The new tariffs will take effect at midnight.

In January, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new government in Sri Lanka slashed power prices by 20%, which caused the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board, which controls the nation’s power monopoly, to face cost recovery issues.

A crucial first step Sri Lanka took to gain board-level approval for a fifth tranche of $344 million from the IMF was to raise power rates. Following a bailout from the international lender in March 2023, Sri Lanka’s economy recovered more quickly than anticipated after collapsing under a severe foreign exchange crisis in 2022 and expanded by 5% in 2024.

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In recognition of its scale and impact, Empire World was recently honoured with the prestigious international title “Most Innovative Mixed-Use Real Estate Project—Empire World—Iraq 2025,” presented by International Finance.

International Finance is known for celebrating excellence in both residential and commercial real estate developments in emerging markets, specifically honouring those who deliver consistently valuable and engaging experiences for customers.

Launched in 2006, Empire World has committed itself to delivering the highest standards in construction through world-class engineering teams and premium materials. By 2007, the project opened its doors, offering residents access to some of the most luxurious housing (Royal Villa) in Erbil. The project also boasts a wealth of turnkey office spaces, offering ideal environments for businesses to grow and thrive, all within a single, sprawling complex.

Empire World represents a USD 2.7 billion investment in the rapidly growing and economically autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. As a result, it has earned a high-ranking status among global commercial developments. Winning the International Finance Award further solidifies its standing on the global stage.

Located in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, the Empire World development exemplifies architectural innovation and commercial excellence. It marks a turning point in the region’s urban growth, placing it among the leading development hubs in Iraq.

Erbil’s outlook has been brightening with rapid development and increasing investment interest. The city has become a magnet for investors seeking high-potential opportunities, signalling a promising economic future. With significant investments in infrastructure, energy, and transport, the Kurdistan region is emerging as a gateway for broader investment in Iraq.

At each stage of construction, the Empire World project was designed to respond to the region’s market needs, particularly the housing deficit. Its location further enhances its strategic value. It is near Erbil International Airport and adjacent to one of the city’s largest parks—Sami Abdulrahman Park.

Empire World was carefully planned to provide everything an individual might need—residential units, entertainment spaces, green zones, and a thriving business environment. The quality of its housing units has earned a reputation as the best in the region, and its office complexes provide an ideal setting for businesses to flourish.

What makes Empire World stand out as one of the largest and most successful projects in Iraq are features like a mix of zones for business, residential, hospitality, and leisure, massive land area covering 750,000 square metres (300 acres) and a total project budget of $2.7 billion, promising long-term value and impact.

Empire World also has 88 towers, 300 luxury villas, along with other comprehensive facilities including a mosque, medical clinic, gym, shops, and restaurants. The presence of the JW Marriott luxury hotel has elevated the project’s status by leaps and bounds.

To date, 70% of the Empire World project has been sold—a testament to the demand and trust it has garnered. As one of Iraq’s most ambitious real estate endeavours, the project’s high quality and modern design continue to attract foreign companies looking to establish offices in a sophisticated and business-friendly environment. Empire World has also become home to many start-ups, offering them ideal conditions to grow and succeed in Kurdistan.

Due to the project, over 1,000 foreign and local employees have found work opportunities, contributing to the region’s economic development and signalling positive momentum for Kurdistan’s job market.

According to Empire World Chairman Peshraw Agha, one of the project’s major milestones was the early success of Royal City, a sub-project comprising 300 royal villas. These were sold out even before 2010, just four years after construction began. Today, real estate values in Royal City have more than tripled, reflecting the strong market and growth potential in the area.

Empire World consists of multiple sub-projects that have collectively contributed to its success, including Empire Square (residential and commercial), Empire Wings (West and East), Empire Diamond (West and East), Empire Business Complex, Empire Business Towers, Royal Villas, Royal Apartments, JW Marriott and Empire Luxury Restaurants. These projects were built with high-quality materials and modern design principles, adding long-term developmental value to the city of Erbil.

Being awarded the “Most Innovative Mixed-Use Real Estate Project—Empire World—Iraq 2025” can be summed up as a landmark achievement for Iraq’s real estate sector. Empire World has successfully contributed to regional development, created extensive job opportunities, and delivered a world-class urban experience that’s been shaping the future of living and working in the Middle Eastern country.

The post Empire World: Iraq’s most ambitious real estate project appeared first on International Finance.

The data, collected by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), suggests that Dubai’s continued rise as a premier tourist destination results from sustained investment in infrastructure, strategic marketing campaigns, and the appeal of its luxury hospitality sector. The impressive growth in tourist arrivals also coincided with a record 92 million passenger arrivals at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in 2024, which is regarded as one of the busiest global transit hubs. Notably, the fact that Dubai welcomed 18.72 million visitors last year indicates a growing trend: a higher proportion of travellers are now choosing to stay in the city rather than merely using the airport for connecting flights.

Possibilities galore

Impactful local and international partnerships, creative global campaigns, and major events were key contributors to Dubai’s tourism sector reaching another record-breaking year in 2024. In fact, the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the Emirati city’s economy by 2033, sees the increase in international visitation as perfectly aligned with its goals.

One immediate beneficiary of this positive trend was the Emirati city’s hospitality sector, which experienced substantial growth. Hotel occupancy rates in 2024 were recorded at 78.2%, surpassing the previous year’s rate of 77.4%. Meanwhile, the total number of hotel rooms in the city expanded from 150,291 to 154,016 over 12 months.

Properties like One&Only One Za’abeel, The Lana Dorchester Collection, and SIRO One Za’abeel were among the most anticipated hotel openings of 2024. These additions contributed significantly to the increase in occupied room nights, which rose to 43.03 million, compared to 41.7 million in 2023. To add to the good news, Dubai has now become the number one city globally for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into tourism, according to the Financial Times’ “FDI Markets” data. The announcement of key projects like the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) will further provide the foundation for Dubai’s strategic growth.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has continued to collaborate closely with partners across the public and private sectors to develop and enhance Dubai’s diverse offerings, ensuring the timely delivery of world-class infrastructure, exceptional service at all touchpoints, and experiences that cater to all budgets and preferences. This was complemented by a highly successful diversified market strategy in more than 60 countries, propelling Dubai’s exceptional industry performance in 2024.

“Maintaining continuous dialogue with domestic stakeholders and more than 3,000 international partners, DET’s year-round marketing activities showcased the city as not only a must-visit destination but also one that continues to attract permanent residents from around the world,” Emirates News Agency stated.

Becoming a smart city in its truest form

Dubai will unveil the world’s tallest wellbeing resort, named “Therme Dubai,” in 2028. The facility will be located in Zabeel Park, covering 500,000 square feet and reaching a height of 100 metres. It will host a mix of relaxation, leisure, family entertainment, and healthcare services, designed to attract up to 1.7 million visitors annually. Set to be built at an estimated cost of $544 million (AED 2 billion), the project will be developed in partnership with Therme Group, an international leader in wellbeing infrastructure.

The resort will feature innovative wellness zones, including a family-friendly play zone, a relaxing retreat for adults, and a rejuvenation space. Attractions will include Michelin-star dining, 18-metre waterfalls, and the world’s largest indoor botanical garden.

Sustainability will be central to the design, with 90% of the water used being recycled and 80% of cooling needs met through clean energy. Therme Dubai aims to transform the city into a leading destination for wellness tourism, supporting Dubai’s ongoing commitment to quality of life and sustainable development.

The resort will also align with the “Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” which seeks to create vibrant, healthy communities and improve the quality of life. By enabling a wholesome environment and enhancing Dubai’s competitive edge, the project will attract global companies and foreign investments. Therme Dubai, with its focus on wellness, healthcare, and recreational experiences, will further bolster the Emirati city’s growing medical tourism sector.

The resort will champion sustainability by recycling 90% of the water used in its thermal pools and meeting 80% of its cooling needs with clean energy. It will house the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, which will support urban biodiversity while showcasing over 200 plant species from around the world.

Dubai is now becoming a preferred destination for tourists looking for efficient, safe, and unforgettable experiences. The Emirati city is responding to this demand through technology-driven innovations like “Keyless Entry” for short-term rentals. Developed by the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the solution offers guests digital access codes on their smartphones, eliminating the need for physical keys while enhancing both convenience and security.

The driving force behind “Keyless Entry” becoming the new normal in Dubai’s tourism sector is Deluxe Holiday Homes, which has integrated SIRA-approved smart locks into its growing property portfolio. This system allows for real-time access monitoring and specific guest permissions, providing property owners with greater security and giving guests the flexibility to check in at any time without physical keys—ideal for Dubai’s non-stop lifestyle.

Deluxe Holiday Homes is also embracing other next-generation technologies, supporting Dubai’s smart city goals and adapting to the evolving needs of travellers. The company now offers a variety of payment options, including traditional methods like cash, bank transfers, and major credit cards, as well as MIR Cards for Russian visitors, PayPal, and prominent digital currencies like Bitcoin and USDT.

The growth machine chugs on

Strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, Dubai continues to attract foreign visitors. North East and South East Asia combined delivered the highest growth rate of 24%, followed by Africa (+20%) and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) & Eastern Europe (+16%). Visitors from Western Europe also grew significantly (up 14%), while maintaining its position as the leading source region for international visitors to Dubai.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “Dubai’s exceptional performance in the tourism sector for 2024 is a powerful testament to the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Through careful planning and dynamic, agile policy implementation, Dubai has successfully navigated global economic and geographic headwinds to achieve record-setting growth in tourism for a second consecutive year, having long resumed its pre-pandemic upward trajectory. This achievement is not an isolated milestone but a foundational pillar of Dubai’s diversified growth strategy, one that fuels interconnected D33 objectives—spanning talent acquisition, FDI inflow, and the global competitiveness of businesses operating within Dubai’s ecosystem.”

“Dubai’s economic trajectory is driven by its ability to adapt and innovate. This is supported by a diversified portfolio of industries, enhanced global connectivity, and an increasingly business-friendly environment. World-class infrastructure development and sustained investment in capacity have further solidified Dubai’s standing as a global leader across all critical segments. As we move forward into 2025, Dubai will continue charting new avenues for growth. By transcending traditional tourism, facilitating high-impact investment opportunities, nurturing entrepreneurship, and magnetising global talent, we will reinforce Dubai’s position as not only a preferred destination but also as a cornerstone of global economic leadership and innovation,” he added.

According to STR data, Dubai is significantly ahead of international peers such as New York, Bangkok, Paris, and Singapore, and nearly on par with London, in terms of total room inventory. Furthermore, a robust pipeline of new properties, such as the upcoming Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and the Mandarin Oriental Downtown, will ensure the city can cater to the ever-growing demand from both visitors and residents. The high quality of hospitality establishments in Dubai also continues to be recognised. In its first year of operations, “The Lana” was ranked number 23 on “The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024” list, while “Atlantis The Royal,” in its second year, was ranked number nine.

Smart Marketing: The decisive element

The Department of Economy and Tourism has been actively rolling out targeted campaigns to attract visitors from emerging tourism markets. These initiatives reportedly included extensive promotions positioning Dubai as a top winter destination, as well as celebrity-led advertising campaigns targeting key markets like India and South Korea. Digital media and influencer marketing have become the winning formula, with content creators encouraged to come to Dubai and, through their travel vlogs, help the emirate reach wider and younger audiences.

“In 2024, average hotel occupancy grew to 78.2%, up from 77.4% in 2023, and occupied room nights rose to a high of 43.03 million, representing a 3% growth compared to 41.7 million in 2023. Reflecting the hospitality sector’s commitment to cater to all budgets and preferences, the Average Daily Rate (ADR) of AED538 only rose marginally against the ADR of AED536 in 2023. According to STR Data, Dubai now provides guests with more attractive average rates than global peers, including Paris, New York, London, and Singapore,” Emirates News Agency reported.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, “Dubai’s remarkable tourism performance in 2024 reflects the sustained commitment and strategic efforts of our extensive network of partners and stakeholders, and the guidance of our city’s visionary leadership. Our market strategy, built on bespoke and diversified campaigns, has been pivotal in showcasing Dubai’s diverse tourism offerings to the world, and we have leveraged strong partnerships with public and private sector organisations to enhance our global reach and promote Dubai as a leading hub for business, leisure, and innovation.”

“These collaborations have not only intensified our international efforts but have also made Dubai the destination of choice for new and returning visitors, with an increasing number of them finding the city appealing to relocate to permanently. A powerful sense of community among the almost 200 nationalities living in Dubai is also seeing more residents advocate for the city, inviting and hosting their friends and family to experience it for themselves,” he added, announcing, “As we aim to build on this momentum throughout 2025, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of service and continuously innovating to exceed expectations, whether for tourists visiting for the first time or loyal repeat guests and residents exploring the city and enjoying its lifestyle offerings.”

Talking about DET’s creative global campaigns, one of the most notable in 2024 was “Dubai, What’s Not to Love?”, which positioned the city as a destination of choice for winter. Another was “If You Go, You Know,” which took a fresh approach, with the Emirati city’s residents showcasing their favourite parts of Dubai to encourage their compatriots to experience all it has to offer. Tailored campaigns for specific market activations included “Dubai: A Whole New You,” featuring Indian father-daughter actor duo Saif and Sara Ali Khan, and “Dubai: Who’s Ready?” starring Korean actors Park Shin-Hye and Park Hyung-Sik from the Netflix series “Doctor Slump.”

DET also announced several partnerships aimed at showcasing the city’s offerings, driving visitation growth, and further enhancing the tourism experience, including strategic agreements with Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, and Emaar Hospitality Group, all designed to elevate the destination experience for visitors and leverage the global reach of these organisations among potential travellers.

“The department also developed relationships with popular global personalities, such as Colombian singer Balvin, who filmed two music videos in the city, and American YouTuber Mr. Beast, among others, to tap into their loyal audiences and create engaging content,” Emirates News Agency noted.

These efforts by Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors in 2024 were recognised globally with a host of accolades and awards. At the 31st annual World Travel Awards, the Emirati city was crowned the world’s leading shopping destination and the world’s leading exhibition destination.

Mina Rashid was named the world’s leading cruise port, while Dubai International Airport became the world’s leading airport. DXB also marked a decade at the top of Airports Council International’s (ACI) list of the world’s busiest international airports (for traffic in 2023), following this up by welcoming a total of 92.3 million guests in 2024.

Dubai: New event capital of the world?

The third edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai was unveiled in July 2024, featuring 106 restaurants across 35 cuisines, an 18% increase from 2023. Four restaurants were awarded two stars, 15 with one star, three with a Green Star, 18 Bib Gourmands, and 69 MICHELIN-selected restaurants.

On the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024” list, Tresind Studio was ranked number 13 and named the best restaurant in the Middle East, while Orfali Bros Bistro was ranked number 64 on the extended list. In November 2024, the Emirati city hosted the eighth edition of “The Best Chef Awards,” marking the first time the awards took place in the Middle East and the largest edition to date. Held at Atlantis, The Palm, the prestigious event highlighted Dubai’s status as a global gastronomy capital, with 550 chefs from 61 countries honoured.

Culinary excellence in the sector was again rewarded with the recent announcement of the Middle East & North Africa’s (MENA) 50 Best Restaurants 2025, with Dubai securing 19 spots, including a clean sweep of the top three. With the opening of gastronomy-focused developments such as J1 Beach, new opportunities continue to emerge for more F&B (Food and Beverage) concepts to succeed and secure global recognition.

“High standards and a flow of talent into the tourism and related sectors continued to be driven by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of DET. In 2024, DCT launched the Middle East’s first apprenticeship in Culinary Operations, anchored by leading industry partners, including Gates Hospitality, Hilton, and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. The transformative two-year programme provides a new source of recruiting and qualifying talent for Dubai’s ever-growing culinary sector,” Emirates News Agency observed.

Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of DET, Dubai also saw some of the biggest events of 2024. One was the eighth edition of the “Dubai Fitness Challenge,” which attracted a record 2.7 million participants, and the “Dubai Shopping Festival,” which celebrated its landmark 30th edition.

Trade shows, industry exhibitions, and MICE sector events also played a critical role in increasing international visitation to Dubai, providing opportunities for local and global businesses. Major industry events that attracted thousands of visitors and exhibitors in 2024 included GITEX Global (200,000 attendees, the highest in its 44-year history), Gulfood (150,000 attendees), and Arabian Travel Market (46,000 attendees). The city also secured the hosting of 437 future events in 2024, which will attract an estimated 210,731 delegates to the Emirati city over the coming years.

Only good days ahead

Work has already begun on the new AED128 billion passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which will be the world’s largest upon its completion. The airport is estimated to handle a passenger capacity of 260 million annually.

The “2040 Urban Master Plan” aims to transform Dubai into a “20-Minute City.” As part of this, Dubai Metro’s Blue Line will be extended to 30 kilometres, connecting 14 stations and serving an expected population of about one million people.

DET is currently engaging with hospitality stakeholders to explore opportunities to bring more brands and offerings into the Emirati city. The goal is simple: to further diversify the range of amenities available to visitors and residents, particularly in new and developing districts, including Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai South.

While the city ranks number one globally for attracting greenfield FDI projects in the tourism sector, it will continue, in the coming days, to leverage innovation and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to create personalised and immersive experiences for both new and repeat visitors.

The “Visit Dubai” mobile app now utilises AI to offer tailored recommendations. Additionally, virtual tours allow tourists to explore attractions before their trips. AI is also being used for biometric hotel check-ins and automated immigration processes at Dubai Airport, enhancing the overall travel experience and, most importantly, transforming the Emirati city into a “smart” destination in the truest sense, driven heavily by technology.

Dubai’s tourism sector set a new record with 18.72 million international visitors in 2024. This success is driven by investments in infrastructure, marketing, and hospitality. The city’s focus on sustainability, technology, and diverse offerings strengthens its global tourism leadership. Upcoming projects like Therme Dubai and continuous enhancements promise a bright future. Aligning with the D33 economic agenda, Dubai is set to attract even more visitors, investors, and residents in the coming years.

The post Dubai: The world’s premier tourist destination appeared first on International Finance.

According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, which used data from Euromonitor International, consumer food service businesses in the UAE made AED 58.4 billion (USD 15.9 billion) in sales in 2022. This was due to the quick response to and recovery from COVID and strong economic growth.

According to Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, president and chief executive officer of the Dubai Chamber, the amount is expected to increase by 48% to AED 86.4 billion (USD 23.5 billion) by 2027.

The food service industry, which includes cafes, bars, full-service and limited-service restaurants, as well as self-service cafeterias, is constantly monitored by Euromonitor. Full-service restaurant sales increased by 24% in 2022 to AED 32.5 billion, as per the company’s data.

As it introduced six business groups for the food and beverage (F&B) industry, including those for HORECA merchants, meat and poultry, bakeries, organic food, and grocery, as well as the hypermarket and supermarket sectors, the Dubai Chamber released the latest statistics.

By 2023, the chamber hopes to have 100 business groups established. It also stated that the groups would concentrate on fostering the growth of food businesses to raise Dubai’s food and beverage sector’s visibility in the international community.

Spending on fresh food is also anticipated to rise in the coming days. Between 2022 and 2027, sales are predicted to climb at a CAGR of 4.9%. In addition, a 3.9% increase will be seen in packaged food within the same time frame.

Traditional grocery store sales are anticipated to total AED 11.4 billion between 2021 and 2026, a CAGR of 3%.

During the same period, supermarket retail sales in the UAE are anticipated to increase to AED 19.7 billion, representing a 4% CAGR.

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