Dubai Economy & Tourism representatives were in Sydney recently to meet with trade and media. Karryon attended an immersion dinner to hear how visitation to the UAE city is tracking.
Gathered at Sydney’s Beau restaurant in Surry Hills, guests were invited to experience the cuisine of the United Arab Emirates, as well as immerse themselves in Emirati culture through music and traditional Arabic calligraphy – with a professional calligrapher in attendance displaying her craft.
Speaking at the event was Dubai Economy & Tourism’s Shahab Shayan, Regional Director Asia Pacific, International Operations, on his first visit to Australia. Shayan revealed that 260,00 Australians had visited Dubai in the past year.
In the first quarter of 2024, the number of visitors has already been surpassed by four per cent compared to the same time last year. He also mentioned that Australia was a key tourism market for Dubai, which is why they are increasing their focus here.
“The length of stay increased in 2023 with Australians. It was 3.5 days before Covid but has now increased to 4.5 days – a full, extra day of visitation is significant,” he said.
Speaking to Karryon after his official presentation, Shayan attributed the increasing length of stay to the changing way in which people are travelling.
“They want to spend more time seeing the place they’ve travelled all that way to,” he said.
“Confidence is high. Dubai was one of the first countries to open, so it was available and safe compared to other places. We have improved offerings with new hotels and excursions and there’s so many things for people to do when they visit,” he said.
He pointed to some of the luxury upcoming hotel openings for Dubai, including Siro One Za’abeel Dubai, a wellness oriented hotel that Karryon referenced in this feature about future wellness trends.
Shayan says there is a wide variety of experiences and hotel offerings in Dubai: from 5-and 6-star luxury hotels but also affordable and mid-tier accommodations.
“Dubai is also very safe for families and solo travellers too,” he said.
Dubai Economy & Tourism is tasked with promoting residency and the multicultural lifestyle available in Dubai, as well as increasing tourist visitor numbers.
Also in attendance at the event was Adam D’Ambrosio, Regional Sales Manager for Emirates; and Mariam Ali Juma Ali Mohammed, Assistant Manager International Comms (PR) at Dubai Economy & Tourism.
For more information, visit dubaidet.gov.ae
