Summer fun is back, and Dubai is inviting Indian family travellers to experience an unforgettable getaway enriched by the best offerings of the city. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism launched its latest summer campaign starring veteran actress Poonam Dhillon and celebrity couple Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya. The campaign video captures the destination’s bountiful outdoor and indoor activities one must experience with their family to make their holiday one to remember and treasured for a lifetime! The film’s core narrative celebrates family bonding as it brings together 3 generations in a unique storyline, where Poonam Dhillon is reflective of a relatable and sporting maternal figure who transports them into the diverse world of Dubai. The conceptualized campaign film, ‘Do you believe it?’ showcases Poonam Dhillon and her grandkids excitedly unravelling their adventure-filled day exploring the sun-soaked modern metropolis. With striking, colourful visuals of a plethora of activities like time travelling to the future in a shuttle spaceship at Museum of the Future, adrenaline pumping activities including the Edgewalk experience at Sky Views, desert drive on vintage four-wheel drives followed by a hot air experience chasing the clouds and finally concluding the day with record-breaking speeds at the Storm Coaster.  Talking about the campaign, Bader Ali Habib, Head of South Asia, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said: “With growing demand for family-friendly experiences among Indian travellers, we aim to showcase Dubai’s broad spectrum of offerings for all travellers, no matter what time of the year. With the onboarding of outbound Indian travellers this summer, we aim to showcase unique offerings in the city, which will entice visitors from all age-groups making it an exciting destination for the summer break. We are thrilled to launch this campaign in India and are confident that Indian family travellers will see immense value, as they continue to curate their summer itineraries.” “It has been an honour to collaborate with Dubai Tourism for their summer campaign. During the shoot, me along with my co-stars, especially the children, thoroughly enjoyed our visit, be it the hot air balloon rides or the desert safari, they truly brought alive the child in me. This culturally rich and vibrant destination has curated unique experiences for Indian travellers making it the ultimate destination for a perfect family getaway,”  Commented actor, Poonam Dhillon. Crowned as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor? Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 for a second successive year, the city offers a wide range of world-class attractions that ensure a leisurely and safe experience for the full family time in the city. If you’re travelling on a budget, travellers can now enjoy an unforgettable family getaway for less, as Dubai Economy & Tourism announces their incredible ‘Kids Go Free’ deals across the destination’s top hotels, most eye-catching hot spots, and attractions.  

Dubai: Metaverse could unlock revenue and innovation in key growth sectors in the MENA region, according to a report "The Metaverse and its potential for MENA," prepared by Deloitte LLP for Meta Platforms, Inc. The MENA region is undergoing rapid change, with hydrocarbon-rich countries seeking sustainable growth through diversification and ambitious transformation plans. Digitalization is at the heart of these plans, with countries targeting it as a key driver of development. In parallel, consumers and business communities across the region are increasingly open to digital technologies.Based on projections of metaverse?related ICT investment globally, this study estimates that metaverse technologies could eventually support an annual economic contribution ranging from US$ $20.2 toUS $38.1 billion in KSA and US$11.6 to US$22.0 billion in Egypt, to US$ $0.9 to US$ 1.7 billion in Jordan, by 2035.Digitally mature countries such as KSA and the UAE have particular potential for near?term adoption. However, further diversification will be needed to create a dynamic private sector business environment with incentives for innovation and investment, to expand the potential for metaverse adoption across the wide range of sectors where it can create value.Elsewhere, benefits can be expected to accrue more gradually. Countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Morocco face wider gaps in digital infrastructure, skills and affordability, creating barriers especially for the adoption of the most sophisticated and transformative use cases. The report outlines the potential impact of the metaverse in MENA and how it can enable successful growth. The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space that is created by the convergence of physical and virtual worlds. It offers new opportunities for economic growth, social interaction, and innovation. The report suggests that the metaverse could provide a platform for the region to showcase its cultural heritage and offer new experiences to consumers.In countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, and the KSA, momentum behind the metaverse is building across policymakers, businesses and consumers.The UAE and KSA seek to play a leading role in the emergence of the metaverse globally, recognizing the potential contribution towards growth and diversification targets. In the UAE, Dubai has launched a Metaverse Strategy, aiming to establish one of the world’s top ten metaverse economies.KSA, for example, has launched an initiative that will allow Muslims from all around the world to virtually touch the Black Stone at the Kaaba, an important religious tourism site. The initiative will allow people to completely immerse themselves in the experience, stimulating a range of senses including vision, hearing and smell.The Strategy envisages economic benefits of US$4 billion by 2030, focusing on transformative impacts in tourism, real estate, education, retail, and government services.34 The UAE has hosted international events – including the Dubai Metaverse Assembly and the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (‘GITEX’) in 2022 – to spread awareness and explore the metaverse’s potential.However, the report also highlights the challenges that need to be addressed to enable successful metaverse growth in MENA. These include infrastructure challenges, such as connectivity and access to digital technologies, as well as regulatory challenges, such as data protection and cybersecurity.To enable successful metaverse growth, the report suggests a collaborative approach between public and private sectors, academia, and civil society. It also suggests the need for investment in infrastructure, digital skills, and innovation.The report concludes with country profiles of MENA countries, highlighting their current digitalization efforts and potential for metaverse growth. The report emphasizes that any decision to invest, conduct business, enter or exit the markets considered in the report should be made solely on independent advice, and no information in the report should be relied upon in any way by any third party.GamingImmersive gaming is currently one of the most prevalent use cases for metaverse?related technologies, and will play a key part in the proliferation of the metaverse across MENA.MENA has one of the fastest growing gaming industries in the world, expected to more than double to a US$ 5 billion industry with 85.7 million gamers by 2025.62. MENA countries such as KSA and the UAE are investing heavily in the industry, reflecting its potential. KSA is making multibillion?dollar investments in gaming and e?sports and has launched the “Gaming And Esports Strategy” programme to boost the sector’s contribution to GDP to US$ 13 billion in eight years and generate 39,000 jobs by 2030.63.In the UAE, the government is supporting the creation of a gaming hub in Abu Dhabi, ADGaming Hub, that aims to attract international creators and gaming companies. More generally, the UAE is forecasted to reach an AR and VR penetration rate of over 50% by 2027, highlighting the ubiquity of the technology in the near future.Other governments in the region also recognize the importance of gaming, such as Morocco, where the Ministry of Youth partnered with Royal Moroccan Federation of Videogames to promote the sector. The two entities plan to increase investment, enhance the country’s youth gaming skills and promote participation in international tournaments, such as the FIFAe Nations Series 2022.Improved access to gaming could even offer players new avenues to pursue professional careers as gamers, with this trend already becoming popular in Morocco. Retail and tourism Metaverse technologies can offer consumers access to engaging shopping experiences through virtual shops, experiencing products without visiting the shop physically. Emerging examples include the launch of the first metaverse B2B marketplace in the region, based in the UAE, called “Magnati?MetaV’, which will provide shops and brands the ability to shift to multi?dimensional online commerce.85 Also, retailers such as Chalhoub Group – the largest retail operator in MENA – are already offering retail in the metaverse with products in the form of non?fungible tokens (NFTs) designed to be bought and worn by avatars.Metaverse technologies can enhance and amplify the existing tourism industry. AR, VR and MR have the potential to create a more engaging and interactive experience for visitors, for example, by restoring physical historical ruins to their original architecture or augmenting historical events into real life settings. By adopting metaverse technologies, the sector also stands to benefit from virtual visits and virtual tourism campaigns, which could motivate travelers to visit MENA countries physically after experiencing sites or hotels remotely.Egypt, for instance, has launched the ECO Egypt virtual tourism campaign which offers people the opportunity to explore some the country’s most spectacular sites through VR tours and 360° technologies and Jordan has introduced virtual reality tours to promote Petra, one of the country’s most important tourist sites.

The leaders of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) have described Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become one of the top 5 destinations in the world in the next decade as “unparalleled” in the history of tourism and travel. Opening the 22nd edition of the Summit, Arnold Donald, Chair, WTTC & Vice Chair of the Board, Carnival Corporation, welcomed the nearly 3000 participants to what will be the biggest ever meeting of global tourism and travel industry leaders.Praising the goals set by the Kingdom to welcome 100 million international and domestic travelers a year by 2030, Mr. Arnold said: “These are ambitions that are unparalleled in the history of our sector. Over the past three years it has been a great privilege to see the progress made here with our own eyes.”Summit host, Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed the leaders of the tourism world to Riyadh said: “We have the power to shape the sector, bridge cultures, and transform communities. We are fortunate to be in the position to effect change. We must not let this opportunity pass by us. Let us ensure that here in Riyadh, we really do deliver a better future for travel.”WTTC CEO Julia Simpson focused on the vital importance of nature to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of the sector. She said: “The WTTC Positive Travel and Tourism Report shows tourism from nature generates over $600 bn which provides opportunities for some of the world’s poorest countries to protect biodiversity and their communities.”In a day packed full of debate, dialogue and the sharing of innovative ideas from around the world, leaders of the global tourism industry participated in panel discussions and keynote speakers.The Summit has attracted the leaders of the world’s biggest hotel groups and Christopher J Nassetta President & CEO, Hilton Worldwide, told the audience:  “We are in a new golden age of travel. Travel and Tourism is an unstoppable force for good. People want to see places they want to interact with people. My advice to everybody is to believe in the power of travel.” Former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon was in discussion about the sustainable future of travel. He declared: “Tourism has made a substantial contribution to humanity’s social and economic progress. Whether you belong to Saudi Arabia, China, United States or South Korea – there are no boundaries.“We need to become global citizens. We have so many problems – health issues, political issues, environmental issues – but with global citizenship we can solve them. Let’s work as global citizens to make this world more sustainable, to transform this world and pass it on to the next generations in a better way than we found it.”Speaker after speaker focused on a number of key developmental areas to ensure the successful future of tourism. Stephen Scherr, CEO, The Hertz Corporation explained:  “You need infrastructure in the various markets and countries. Whether it's an airport that can handle the kind of traffic that you will have or in our business, you need to build infrastructure that is accommodating and inviting for the people you want to be traveling around.”Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia H.E. Sandiaga says that when you consider Indonesia and Bali that means sustainable tourism and it means a change in mindset. He said: “The new trend of tourism is more personalized, localized and customized, and smaller in size also means better revenue. This year we are creating three times more revenue from tourism than we had expected with only a quarter of previous numbers of foreign tourists arriving.”Creating a truly local and unique welcome for visitors was also a powerful topic of debate as international destinations work to ensure they offer visitors a unique taste of local culture, customs and heritage.Bahrain Minister of Tourism H.E. Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, said: “We have noticed in Bahrain that whenever we get tourists visiting our country, one of the main things that they leave with is the authenticity of the experience they have enjoyed. We have successfully incorporated that in our tourism experiences that we offer in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Those authentic experiences are delivered by Bahrainis.”Hashil Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer, OMRAN added: “Today, everyone is talking about sustainability. Everyone is saying protect nature, everyone is saying protect this planet. But I think in Oman we have been prepared for it. What we need to do now in Oman is capitalize on what we already have there and I think we are on the right track doing it.”The Summit has also seen a number of major announcements and signing of MOUs on the sidelines of the main Summit debates. These have seen Saudi Arabia sign MOUs with Oman, Indonesia and Barbados and Wizz Air appoint Arjaa Travel and Tourism Company as the exclusive agent for Wizz Air in Saudi Arabia. The Summit is the largest ever staged to date and has nearly 3000 participants taking part from 140 countries. The enormous global interest in the Summit was shown by one million livestreams of sessions on the metaverse on the first day.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched the inaugural Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report, a comprehensive study of the city’s gastronomy scene, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a much sought-after global destination for food tourism.The special report was unveiled at the first gastronomy industry briefing hosted by DET at the W Dubai Mina Seyahi, and was attended by more than 100 restaurateurs, culinary specialists and key stakeholders from the food and beverage sector, to share seasonal highlights in relation to the ever-expanding gastronomy sector, and reveal industry insights from the city’s inaugural gastronomy report.The event was hosted as part of Dubai’s efforts to build upon the destination’s year-round programme of key foodie events, gourmet showcases and culinary platforms, to further strengthen the city’s dynamic ecosystem of around 13,000 restaurants and cafés. During the briefing, opportunities in the gastronomy sector and forthcoming calendar highlights were shared with partners to get their support to further enhance the city’s reputation as a year-round global gastronomy hub.Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) revealed key findings from the newly commissioned annual industry report during the event, showcasing the gastronomy activities and initiatives which continue to be a driving force behind the steady growth in both domestic and international tourists, in line with the visionary leadership’s goal to make Dubai the world’s best city in the world to live in, work and visit. This insightful research has reaffirmed Dubai’s standing as an international hub for gastronomy, and a beacon for visionary restaurateurs, chefs, discerning foodies, epicurean travellers and culinary aficionados.The inaugural ‘Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report’ highlights that Dubai’s vibrant and stimulating food scene is a direct reflection of the city itself, with the city being one of the most culturally diverse destinations around the world and a melting pot of more than 200 nationalities. This diversity, alongside the city’s enabling framework and dynamic ecosystem has fuelled Dubai’s acceleration into a unique international culinary hub.Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) commented: “We are proud that Dubai’s ever expanding gastronomy industry continues to have a positive impact on the growth of food tourism globally, as inspired by the vision of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai to further enhance Dubai’s position as a global liveability hub. Dubai’s unique and diverse gastronomy scene is comprised of a plethora of home-grown eateries, fine dining institutions, MICHELIN starred restaurants and neighbourhood favourites, which together represent Dubai’s dynamic epicurean scene.Dubai brings together the culture and heritage of more than 200 different nationalities at tables and within restaurants across the city and we are pleased that the emirate is gaining further recognition as a globally renowned epicurean destination transforming food tourism, as revealed in our report that we have just launched. It is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive study that provides significant insights and information related to the city’s growing gastronomy sector. Its continued success is evident in the findings set out in the report including high satisfaction scores across key aspects of the gastronomy offering, in addition to a marked improvement in food choices and the overall restaurant experience for residents and visitors.”The Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report highlights DET’s efforts to cement the city’s position as an international epicentre of gastronomic innovation and inspiration via a programme of year-round events and showcases.The report is based on the feedback and findings of various research carried out by DET including the Global Brand Tracker, Dubai International Visitor Surveys and a local research survey, in addition to thousands of independent reviews posted on food and travel websites. A survey of a number of residents to evaluate their perception of Dubai as an international foodie destination showed that over 55% of respondents ranked Dubai as the No.1 global gastronomy hub followed by London and New York. The survey also highlighted that 52% of residents in the city dine out up to three times per week. The city also, impressively, ranks second in categories such as world-class chefs, fine dining and service at restaurants, ahead of New York, London, Singapore and Istanbul. The report also points out that 72.2 per cent of international visitors said they are happy with the overall quality of food they ate in Dubai and the restaurants they dined in.DET also recently launched the ‘Gastronomy Always on Campaign’ (GAON), aiming to support the F&B industry and lead on a calendar of culinary events. This campaign has drawn attention to the core pillars which empower Dubai as a global gastronomy hub with quality cuisine and experiences available for all; diversity, authenticity, value for money and experiential offerings. The GAON campaign has also championed Dubai Food Festival (@dubaieats), which is a celebration of Dubai’s rich food culture and an expression of the city’s central gastronomy pillars. The festival and its popular year-round social media channels are a leading source of information and recognition for Dubai’s energetic food scene. The report is also a review of the campaign’s initiatives, events and its unparalleled efforts to position Dubai as a leading gastronomy destination.The report, which will be released annually, will chart the evolving elements of Dubai’s dynamic food scene and create a platform for insights into Dubai’s culinary sector to be shared with restaurateurs, chefs, potential collaborators and stakeholders locally and globally, whilst also providing an overview of initiatives to further elevate Dubai’s profile as a leading gourmet destination.During the briefing, DET also announced that the 10th anniversary edition of the much-awaited Dubai Food Festival (DFF) will take place from 28 April -7 May 2023. DFF 2023 will showcase the depth, diversity and creativity of Dubai’s gastronomy offering through an expanded programme of events and activities, drawing upon and celebrating home-grown concepts, Emirati and international cuisine, as well as global trends and Chefs that have inspired Dubai.In addition, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) and DET will introduce a new initiative in 2022, focused on stimulating inclusivity, by creating opportunities for People of Determination to enter and succeed and thrive in the hospitality and F&B industry. This will be delivered via various activities including creating opportunities for People of Determination to undertake workplace training and internships, collaborating with restaurants and chefs, in addition to encouraging restaurants to communicate their inclusivity plans through their platforms.Dubai has grown to become one of the world’s most sought after epicurean destinations, and its gastronomy scene has diversified and progressed in line with the expansion and development of the city, and remains a key driver of growth for the tourism sector. Dubai welcomed 7.12 million international overnight visitors during the first half of 2022. The city was recognised as the No.1 global destination and the fourth leading destination for ‘Food Lovers’ in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022, demonstrating the depth of the culinary scene and the diversity of culinary offerings.Testament to Dubai’s standing as a foodie hub, the city has welcomed a raft of new initiatives and inaugural dining guides which have further elevated the destination’s reputation as a world-class destination for epicures. The launch of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Dubai in summer 2022 saw 69 culinary institutions across the city included within the guide, as well as individual awards for, a Green Star, Young Chef, Sommelier and a restaurant award for Best Welcome and Service, whilst the city also welcomed the culinary critic brand Gault&Millau in spring 2022, featuring expert reviews. 16 of Dubai’s homegrown cafés, chef-helmed gourmet restaurants and fine dining institutions and chefs were also recognised in the inaugural edition of the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list that was unveiled earlier this year.