uae tourist numbers

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029

Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

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all values are estimates

The shown forecasts represent a blend of multiple input datasets from both internal (primary) and external (secondary) sources. Whereas primary data are generated via Statista's own surveys like the Global Consumer Survey , secondary input datasets are mostly sourced from international institutions (such as the IMF, the World Bank or the United Nations), national statistical offices, trade associations and from the trade press. These datasets are often incomplete as there are gaps between survey years or no or no reliable information might be available for a specific indicator in a specific country or region. Data for missing years are interpolated by various statistical means, such as linear or exponential interpolation or cubic splines. Data for missing countries or regions are imputed by considering known information from other countries or regions that are found to be similar by cluster analyses like k-means or similar procedures. Most indicators are composites of multiple input sources with slightly varying methodologies that have been processed by our analysts to be aligned and consistent with each other and with all other indicators in the KMI database. As new data becomes available or methodologies are adapted to suit changing requirements it can be possible that data is not comparable any longer with previously published data or is changed retroactively according to the new definitions. Because of the high degree of processing no specific external source can be named for each data point and all data for historical years (usually until the last finished year before the current one) have to be considered Statista estimates. Future years are mostly Statista projections These projections or forecasts are conducted by regression analyses, exponential trend smoothing (ETS) or similar techniques and extrapolate the found historical trend. '

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Leisure Travel

• Middle Eastern countries with the most international tourist arrivals 2022
• Inbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• Outbound visitor growth in the Middle East 2011-2025
• Number of hotels UAE 2008-2022

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Statistics on " Tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates "

• Targets of international tourist arrivals GCC 2023, by country
• Number of pipeline hotel rooms GCC 2023-2028, by country
• Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates 2013-2028
• Absolute economic contribution of tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029
• International tourism receipts per capita in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029
• Per capita spending on restaurants and hotels in the UAE 2014-2029
• Expenditure per capita on international tourism in the United Arab Emirates 2006-2029
• Number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin
• Annual growth in number of hotel guests UAE 2022, by region of origin
• Share of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by region
• Share of tourist trips UAE 2022, by purpose
• Travel product bookings in the UAE 2023
• Travel frequency for private purposes in the UAE 2023
• Travel frequency for business purposes in the UAE 2023
• Attitudes towards traveling in the UAE 2023
• Number of rooms in hotels UAE 2008-2022
• Share of hotel key supply UAE 2023, by hotel class
• Revenue of hotel industry UAE 2022 by type
• Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022
• Occupancy rate in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022
• Average daily rate in UAE 2022, by emirate
• Number of pipeline luxury hotels GCC 2023, by country
• Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class
• Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026
• Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase
• Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

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• Premium Statistic Targets of international tourist arrivals GCC 2023, by country
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Contribution of tourism to UAE economy

• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates 2013-2028
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• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in the United Arab Emirates 2014-2029
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Hotel supply

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• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Change in hotel revenue per available room in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate UAE 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Occupancy rate in the UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Average length of stay in hotels in UAE 2002-2022
• Premium Statistic Average daily rate in UAE 2022, by emirate
• Premium Statistic Number of pipeline luxury hotels GCC 2023, by country
• Premium Statistic Share of pipeline hotel rooms UAE 2023-2028, by hotel class
• Premium Statistic Expected revenue of hospitality industry in the UAE 2021-2026
• Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai UAE 2022, by phase
• Premium Statistic Share of hotel projects in Dubai in the UAE 2022-2025, by completion date

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International tourism, number of arrivals - United Arab Emirates

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Dubai Online

Dubai Tourism Statistics

In just a few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a desert backwater into one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. And now, the city is aiming to become the most visited tourist destination on the planet, with a new tourism strategy that is targeting 25 million visitors by 2025.

To achieve this goal, the city is investing heavily in infrastructure, hotels, tourist attractions, and shopping malls.

The city has already taken steps to improve its infrastructure and visitor experience.

The extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro has made it possible for visitors to reach new areas of Dubai that were previously difficult to reach by public transport.

Dubai is constantly evolving, and there are always new attractions to see and experience.

One of the latest additions to the city is Ain Dubai , which is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. For those who want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, this is a must-see attraction. The View at the Palm also offers stunning panoramic views.

The Museum of the Future is a one-of-a-kind institution that explores the latest technological innovations, while Madame Tussauds Dubai brings iconic celebrities to life with lifelike wax figures.

These new attractions are sure to wow visitors and continue to put Dubai on the map as a must-see destination.

The city is home to some of the most luxurious and opulent hotels in the world, and new properties are being built all the time. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal, and W Dubai Mina Seyahi are just three of the hotels that opened in 2022.

These developments have made Dubai even more appealing to tourists from all over the world. There is no doubt that it is on track to becoming the most visited city on earth.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the number of international visitors to Dubai in the first six months of 2022 was 7.12 million. This represents an increase of over 182 per cent over the same period in 2021.

However, it is important to note that 2021 and 2020 were both affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so a more accurate comparison is with pre-pandemic figures.

In the first half of 2019, 8.36 million tourists visited the city. This means that while there has been an increase in tourism since the pandemic began, the number of tourists has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the difference between the 2022 and 2019 figures is due to the loss of Chinese tourists. In the first 6 months of 2019, 501,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai. In 2022, China’s borders remained effectively sealed as the country continued to pursue a zero-tolerance approach to a virus that other parts of the world have accepted as endemic.

However, with vaccines now available and travel restrictions beginning to ease, it is expected that Dubai will soon return to the pre-pandemic growth levels.

Number of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

After a difficult year in 2020, Dubai’s tourism industry saw a rebound in visitor numbers in 2021. With global travel ramping up and COVID-19 restrictions easing, the city welcomed back tourists from all over the world.

In total, 7.28 million visitors arrived in the city in 2021, compared to 5.51 million in 2020. This was a significant increase of over 32 per cent.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – January to June 2022

According to the statistics for the first half of 2022, the top five countries of origin for visitors are India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia.

These five countries account for over 40 per cent of all visitors to Dubai. However, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of visitors from other countries as well.

Origin of International Visitors to Dubai – 2021

India has always been an important market for Dubai’s tourism sector, and that was no different in 2021. India remained the city’s top international visitor source market, accounting for 910,000 visitors. That’s a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Many factors have contributed to India being the top source of visitors. One is the abundance of direct flights that make it convenient and affordable for Indian travellers to visit Dubai. Another is the wide range of hotel options, which appeals to a broad range of travellers.

Saudi Arabia had the second highest number of visitors in 2021 with 491,000 visitors. This was an increase of over 22 per cent from the previous year. This is a very impressive result, especially considering that Saudi Arabia closed its borders to all travel up to May 2021.

Russia was again one of the city’s largest tourism source markets, with 444,000 visitors in 2021, an increase of 50 per cent from the previous year.

Visitors from Oman, historically one of Dubai’s top five source markets, were significantly reduced in 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Omani government reopened its borders with the UAE to vaccinated travellers in September 2021.

Visitors by Source Market – January to June 2022 and 2021

Western Europe and GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) were the top source markets for the city in the first 6 months of 2022.

As noted above, Oman and Saudi Arabia have historically been amongst Dubai’s top international visitor source markets. Both of these GCC countries had strict travel restrictions in place for much of 2021.

Purpose of Visit

The data for 2021 and previous years shows that most people travel to Dubai for leisure reasons, whether it be to enjoy the city’s many attractions or to relax in its luxurious hotels and resorts. Business travellers accounted for 12 per cent of all visitors to the city in 2021, which was consistent with 2020. Many business visitors are attracted by events such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.

The proportion of travellers visiting the city to see friends and relatives in 2021 rose to 16 per cent, up 3 per cent from 2020.

Hotels – Room Nights

In 2021, hotels in Dubai bounced back from the pandemic with some of their best results ever.

Thanks to a strong rise in the number of domestic guests, the city’s hotel industry had the second highest number of room nights sold on record. The remarkable figure of 31.47 million was only slightly down on the pre-pandemic peak of 32.11 million recorded in 2019.

Guests also stayed longer in 2021, averaging 4.6 nights compared to 4.2 nights the year before.

Hotels – Number and Occupancy

In 2021, Dubai offered more hotel choices to travellers, as the city’s hotel room inventory grew. At the end of the year, the city had a total of 755 hotels and hotel apartments with 137,950 rooms available. This is compared to 711 hotels and hotel apartments with 126,947 rooms at the end of 2020.

This increase in the number of hotel rooms provided travellers with more options to find lodging that met their needs and budget.

The average hotel occupancy rate in 2021 was 67 per cent, up from 54 per cent in 2020.

Hotels – Location

Hotels and hotel apartments are found in many areas of Dubai.

The areas with the greatest number of rooms are Deira , Al Barsha , Jumeirah , Downtown Dubai , and Dubai Marina .

The Palm Jumeirah has the highest proportion of 5-star rooms. 87 per cent of available rooms here are in 5-star hotels. Bur Dubai has the lowest proportion of 5-star rooms.

Jebel Ali and Deira are best for budget visitors. In both of these areas, the proportion of rooms in 1 to 3-star hotels is just under 40 per cent.

Top World Cities by Visitor Numbers

According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018 (published September 2019), Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. Only Bangkok, Paris, and London attracted more overnight visitors.

Dubai was the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

Dubai topped the list for both total and average daily visitor spending. The average visitor to the city spent $533 (£464.17, €538.95, 1957.76 AED) per day in 2018, much higher than in any of the other cities.

Total visitor spending in Dubai for the year was $30.82 billion.

At the time of writing (September 2022), Mastercard has not published the report for any years after 2018.

Dubai International Airport Passenger Numbers

According to a report from Airports Council International (published in April 2022), Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world’s busiest airport in 2021 in terms of international passenger traffic.

The busiest airport in terms of total passengers (international and domestic) was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The UAE is a small country. There are no domestic flights from Dubai International Airport or any other airport in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah).

Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of the world’s airports.

Top Tourist Attractions

According to Tripadvisor the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai (September 2022) are:

• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Fountain
• Dubai Miracle Garden
• Global Village
• Dubai Frame
• Atlantis Aquaventure
• Burj Al Arab
• Dubai Creek
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Mall of the Emirates
• The Lost Chambers
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Dubai Marina
• LEGOLAND Dubai

Tripadvisor is a travel website that helps users find hotels, restaurants, and activities for their upcoming trips. The website also includes user-generated reviews and ratings, as well as photos and videos. It is a great resource for travellers who want to get the most out of their trip.

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UAE – Facts and Figures

Facts and figures about the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Includes currency and exchange rates, population, public holidays, location and geography, and time zone.

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Detailed UAE population statistics. Includes total population, growth rate, breakdown by gender, number of migrants, nationality, and age groups.

Find out what currency is used in Dubai and view live exchange rates.

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Dubai’s tourist numbers up 18% in first four months of 2023

Travel & tourism.

The tourist footfall was also very close to 6.26m registered in the same period in 2019

Dubai welcomed 6.02 million tourists between January and April 2023, data showed, nearly a million more than the same period last year, at 5.1 million – 18.04 per cent up.

The tourist footfall was also very close to 6.26 million registered in the same period in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, and more than a third of 2022’s annual numbers of 14.36 million.

Most tourists were from India, at 806,000, followed by Russia (474,000), the UK (391,000), Saudi Arabia (352,000), and Oman (348,000). Germany, the US, Israel, China and Iran were among the top 10 source countries.

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Overall, most tourists came from Western Europe (22 per cent), followed by South Asia (16 per cent) and Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe (15 per cent).

This surge in tourists comes as Dubai’s main tourism engines, Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport, have taken quick and measured steps to ease pandemic-induced restrictions, employ adequate staff and rapidly expand services as tourist numbers climbed, even as airlines and airports internationally struggle with burgeoning tourist numbers.

A nationwide vaccination drive, easing of entry restrictions and enhancement of tourist offerings in the UAE have made the emirates a sought-after destination not just for tourists but also for talented professionals.

Accommodation supply and demand

Dubai’s 51,268 five-star rooms had a 78 per cent occupancy during the four-month period, while the emirate’s 42,786 four-star rooms saw 80 per cent occupancy.

Total number of rooms available stood at 148,949, a 6 per cent increase over 2022 levels (and 26 per cent up compared to 2019 levels.)

Average rates

Average daily rate for the four-month period stood at Dh599, up 6 per cent from 2022 levels, and 22 per cent higher than 2019 levels.

Surge at DXB

Traffic at Dubai International Airport (DXB) reached 95.6 per cent of 2019 levels with passenger numbers exceeding 21.2 million in the first quarter of the year. This follows DXB’s strong showing last year, during which the airport clocked 66m passengers to retain its position as the world’s busiest international hub for the ninth year running.

DXB’s passenger traffic totalled 21,256,489 during the first three months of the year, up 55.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2022, and marking the first time since the fourth quarter of 2019 when average monthly traffic reached the seven-million passenger-mark. March was the busiest month in the first quarter with 7.3 million passengers, which is also the highest monthly traffic since January 2020 when DXB recorded 7.8m passengers.

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UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth rates

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null UAE tourism sector performance in Q1 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic growth rates

• Hotel establishments generate AED 11 billion in revenues with a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2019
• 80% hotel occupancy rate among the highest, globally

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, revealed that the UAE’s tourism sector achieved a new growth milestone in Q1 2022, underlining its competitiveness at both regional and global levels. H.E. attributed the sector’s latest achievement to the unlimited support and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership and its interest in this vital sector, which is deemed one of the future sectors and a key focus area in the UAE’s development vision for the next 50 years.

The Minister explained that during the first quarter of this year, the national tourism sector exceeded the growth rates recorded not only in 2020 and 2021, but also during the same period in 2019, which is the benchmark for measuring recovery and growth rates in most countries today. It is one of the best years in terms of economic growth in general and tourism in particular, and this confirms the strong comeback of the sector thanks to the forward-looking vision of the UAE’s wise leadership. Equally important was the concerted national efforts to develop national tourism, provide a supportive environment and integrated incentives for the development of tourism products, offer adequate tourism infrastructure in the country, and focus on the delivery of high value-added services, he said.

According to tourism figures for Q1 2022, the country's hotel establishments attracted nearly 6 million visitors who spent 25 million hotel nights, reflecting a growth of 10% compared to the same period in 2019. The average duration of hotel guest stays reached 25% during the same period, up from 3 nights to 4 nights. Moreover, the occupancy rate of hotel establishments in the country during this period achieved 80% growth, which is one of the highest globally. Hotel establishments also generated a total revenue of AED 11 billion with a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2019 and resumed operations at full capacity of approximately 200,000 hotel rooms.

Furthermore, Q1 2022 saw a resurgence and a strong comeback of inward tourism flows from foreign markets, as hotel establishments in various emirates hosted nearly 4 million international tourists. India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America topped the list of international tourists.

H.E. Al Falasi explained that these indicators underscore the strength of the tourism product and the pioneering services and attractive tourism destinations that the UAE offers, as well as its sophisticated tourism infrastructure. They also reflect the growing confidence of visitors in the national tourism sector and the UAE’s reputation as a safe and favorable destination capable of providing a rich and distinguished tourism experience.

In addition, H.E. noted the important role that the major events hosted by the UAE over the past months played in supporting the sector. These include Expo 2020 Dubai, which successfully attracted more than 24 million visitors over six months, and ‘Worlds’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in its second edition, which over one and a half months generated a total revenue of AED 1.5 billion and attracted more than 1.3 million local tourists.

Furthermore, H.E. commended the efforts of relevant authorities, various local tourism departments, and the strong partnership with the tourism private sector in the country, which was vital in achieving these positive results. He also highlighted the importance of further integration of roles among tourism development entities in order to achieve the UAE’s vision in this regard and provide the best tourism services and products for domestic and international tourists. These efforts are key to consolidating the UAE's position as a preferred and sustainable destination for tourism, investments and tourism projects.

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Uae tourism sector set to boost gdp share to dh236b in 2024, national tourism strategy 2031 aims to increase the contribution of the uae tourism sector to the national gdp to dh450 billion.

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Published: Mon 29 Apr 2024, 9:10 PM

The buoyant tourism sector’s contribution to the UAE’s national economy is expected to rise to Dh236 billion in 2024, positioning the country right on track to achieve its goal of boosting tourism’s GDP share to Dh450 billion by 2031, according to the country's Minister of Economy.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, said the tourism sectors’ share in the country’s gross domestic product grew by a significant 26 per cent in 2023 compared to that of 2022 and surpassed 2019 levels by 14 per cent.

Tourism’s contribution to the country's GDP amounted to Dh220 billion, accounting for 11.7 per cent. “This is expected to rise in 2024 to Dh236 billion, equivalent to 12 per cent of the country's GDP,” he said, quoting a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The minister, who led the UAE delegation at the Riyadh forum, said the National Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to increase the contribution of the UAE tourism sector to the national GDP to Dh450 billion, raising the country's profile as the best tourism identity by the next decade. “Besides, through the launch of the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, the country has set an ambitious target to achieve annual production of up to 700 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030,” Al Marri said at the conference titled “International Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development.”

“In addition, this vital sector provided 809,000 jobs in various activities and tourism fields in the country in 2023, equivalent to 12.3 per cent of the total labour market. With five per cent growth from 2022, exceeding 2019 levels with 11.4 per cent growth, the number of jobs it creates is expected to reach 833,000 in 2024. There are currently 1,235 hotels in the UAE providing a total of 210,000 rooms for guests and visitors,” Al Marri said.

The minister noted that efforts are underway in collaboration with other GCC partners to launch the unified GCC tourist visa. “Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading destinations for regional and international tourists alike.”

“The UAE is committed to promoting sustainability, not just in the tourism industry but across diverse economic and environmental sectors, safeguarding resources, wealth, and natural reserves,” he said, emphasising that sustainability is key to boosting the tourism sector’s growth in the immediate future, particularly given the current global environmental and social challenges. “It calls for strengthening collaborative efforts across all fronts and levels to attain a harmony between economic and environmental progress as well as social accountability.” The minister also stressed the importance of ecotourism in supporting the sustainability of the tourism sector and preserving natural reserves and desert attractions.

The minister highlighted the UAE's commitment to enhancing the regional and global tourism infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of the sector. He indicated that there are challenges ahead for sustainable tourism, most notably the necessity to upskill the workforce, improving their performance and expertise in tourism, and fostering innovation and creativity across various tourism fields and activities.

The UAE, the minister added, attaches significant importance to the tourism sector, recognising it as a key contributor to national economic growth and enhancing its competitiveness and diversity. “The country has successfully highlighted its tourism diversity in the past phase, promoting the unique features and characteristics of all seven emirates, with the aim of attracting more global companies to its markets. These achievements encourage national and foreign investments in tourism projects, thereby consolidating the UAE's position on the travel and tourism landscape at regional and global levels.”

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Tourist visa

A tourist visa is for those who are not eligible for  visa on arrival  or a  visa-free entry  to the UAE. You can apply for a tourist visa through airlines, hotels and travel agents. Read about the eligibility criteria and the steps to apply.

Multiple entry 5-year tourist visa

Who is a tourist visa for, who can apply for your tourist visa, related eservices.

The multiple entry 5-year tourist visa enables tourists to enter the UAE multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, and can be extended for further 90 days. This type of tourist visa can be issued for all nationalities.

To obtain this visa, the applicant must have:

• a bank balance of 4,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months
• a valid health insurance policy applicable in the UAE
• a ticket to and from the UAE

Documents required

To apply for the multiple entry tourist visa, the applicant must provide the following:

• a colored photo
• a copy of the passport
• medical Insurance
• bank statement for the last 6 months with a balance 4,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currencies
• tour programme
• a ticket for onward journey.

Read related news coverage on  WAM .

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• Issue family group multiple entry long-term tourist visa - 5 years - (all nationalities) – ICP
• Issue multiple entries long-term tourist visa - 5 years - (all nationalities) – ICP

Tourist visa is for those who are not eligible for  visa on arrival  or a  visa-free entry  to the UAE. Tourist visa can be obtained for eligible individual tourists from around the world. Females below the age of 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa unless they are travelling with their parents.

According to a Cabinet resolution passed in July 2018, children under the age of 18 years who are accompanying adults, can get a  free visa for their visit from 15 July to 15 September each year.

Tourist visas through airlines

Each airline has some conditions, which must be met in order for your visa to be arranged by them. One of the conditions is flying with them. For more updated and specific information, check the following UAE-based airlines for visa types, facilities, terms and conditions:

• Visa services from Etihad Airways  - Etihad Airways
• Visa Services offered by Emirates Airline  - Emirates Airline
• Visa services from Fly Dubai  - Fly Dubai
• Visa services from Air Arabia  - Air Arabia

Tourist visas through agencies and hotels

Licensed travel agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you provided you purchase the ticket through them and maintain hotel reservation with the specific hotel.

You can also contact travel agencies in your country for any tourist packages available to the UAE in collaboration with a local tour operator.

It is important to check the authenticity of travel agents you are dealing with and refrain from paying or sending copies of your official documents until after you are 100 per cent sure the tour operator is genuine. You can seek the help of the  UAE embassy in your country  for verification.

Note: The UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas. In order to get a tourist visa to the UAE, you need to get in touch with one of the UAE-based airlines, a tour agency or a hotel (where you intend to stay) in the UAE who will apply for visa on your behalf to the official  visa-issuing authorities  in the UAE.

• Tourist visa from Etihad Airways  - Etihad Airways
• Tourist visa from Emirates Airline  - Emirates Airline
• Tourist visa from Fly Dubai  - Fly Dubai
• Tourist visa from Air Arabia  - Air Arabia

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Dubai Plans to Move Its Busy International Airport to a $35 Billion New Facility Within 10 Years

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state’s second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly $35 billion

Dubai government

This artist's rendering provided by the government of Dubai shows plans for Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state's second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches "within the next 10 years" in a project worth nearly $35 billion, its ruler said Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Dubai government via AP)

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state's second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly $35 billion, its ruler said Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's announcement marks the latest chapter in the rebound of its long-haul carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic grounded international travel. Plans have been on the books for years to move the operations of the airport known as DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central which had also been delayed by the repercussions of the sheikhdom's 2009 economic crisis.

“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn,” Sheikh Mohammed said in an online statement. “Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub and its new global center.”

The announcement included computer-rendered images of curving, white terminal reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula. The airport will include five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, the announcement said. The airport now has just two runways, like Dubai International Airport.

The financial health of the carrier Emirates has served as a barometer for the aviation industry worldwide and the wider economic health of this city-state. Dubai and the airline rebounded quickly from the pandemic by pushing forward with tourism even as some countries more slowly came out of their pandemic crouch.

The number of passengers flying through DXB surged last year beyond its total for 2019 with 86.9 million passengers. Its 2019 annual traffic was 86.3 million passengers. The airport had 89.1 million passengers in 2018 — its busiest-ever year before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers passed through in 2022.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

Earlier in February, Dubai announced its best-ever tourism numbers, saying it hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. Average hotel occupancy stood at around 77%. Its boom-and-bust real estate market remains on a hot streak , nearing all-time high valuations.

But as those passenger numbers skyrocketed, it again put new pressure on the capacity of DXB, which remains constrained on all sides by residential neighborhoods and two major highways.

Al Maktoum International Airport, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away from DXB, opened in 2010 with one terminal. It served as a parking lot for Emirates' double-decker Airbus A380s and other aircraft during the pandemic and slowly has come back to life with cargo and private flights in the time since. It also hosts the biennial Dubai Air Show and has a vast, empty desert in which to expand.

The announcement by Sheikh Mohammed noted Dubai's plans to expand further south. Already, its nearby Expo 2020 site has been offering homes for buyers.

“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow,” Dubai's ruler said. “It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.”

However, financial pressures have halted the move in the past. Dubai's 2009 financial crisis, brought on by the Great Recession, forced Abu Dhabi to provide the city-state with a $20 billion bailout.

Meanwhile, the city-state is still trying to recover after the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the UAE , which disrupted flights and commerce for days.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Shimla in Himachal Pradesh experiences rise in number of tourists over the weekend

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Created : Apr 29, 2024, 14:22 IST

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Shimla, a bustling hill station in India, attracts tourists seeking respite from the heat. With a rich colonial past, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture, Shimla promises visitors a memorable experience amidst the Himalaya … Read more

Shimla, a bustling hill station in India, attracts tourists seeking respite from the heat. With a rich colonial past, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture, Shimla promises visitors a memorable experience amidst the Himalayas. Read less

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Hot Oceans Worsened Dubai’s Dramatic Flooding, Scientists Say

An international team of researchers found that heavy rains had intensified in the region, though they couldn’t say for sure how much climate change was responsible.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions stunned the world this month. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a total surprise — forecasters had anticipated the storms several days earlier and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual.

Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers. These rains often come during El Niño conditions like the ones the world is experiencing now.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on April 16 was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . And parts of the nation had already experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms in March.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every part of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

Hot oceans are a big factor.

An international team of scientists has made a first attempt at estimating the extent to which climate change may have contributed to April’s storms. The researchers didn’t manage to pin down the connection precisely, though in their analysis, they did highlight one known driver of heavy rain in the region: above-normal ocean temperatures.

Large parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been hotter than usual recently, in part because of El Niño and other natural weather cycles, and in part because of human-induced warming .

When looking only at El Niño years, the scientists estimated that storm events as infrequent as this month’s delivered 10 percent to 40 percent more rain to the region than they would in a world that hadn’t been warmed by human activities. They cautioned, however, that these estimates were highly uncertain.

“Rainfall, in general, is getting more extreme,” said Mansour Almazroui, a climate scientist at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and one of the researchers who contributed to the analysis.

The analysis was conducted by scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research collaboration that studies extreme weather events shortly after they occur. Their findings about this month’s rains haven’t yet been peer reviewed, but are based on standardized methods .

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried around the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this month’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half-century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

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Weather tracker: heavy rainfall causes flooding and death in east Africa

Rain in Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi kills at least 90 people and damages farmland and infrastructure

E astern Africa has experienced heavy rain in recent weeks, with flooding in Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. About 100,000 people have been displaced or otherwise affected in each country, with 32 reported deaths in Kenya and 58 in Tanzania, alongside damage to farmland and infrastructure.

There are also fears that large areas of standing water could give rise to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

The Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has been particularly affected this week. The city usually records about 150mm of rain in April, but has so far had an estimated 200-300mm, with some unofficial weather stations having reported much higher amounts. Flooding spread through the city on Wednesday, with people forced to take refuge on their roofs, where many slept overnight.

The increased rainfall is linked to the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a periodic fluctuation in temperature across the Indian Ocean, similar to the better-known El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific. The IOD is now in a positive phase, during which warmer waters move into western parts of the ocean, accentuating rainfall in eastern Africa.

This effect is further intensified when a positive IOD phase coincides with El Niño, as is now the case; a powerful El Niño event that began last June is drawing to a conclusion.

Meanwhile, in Europe, after a very warm start to April, in the past week temperatures fall well below normal for all but Iberia and the eastern Mediterranean. In Munich, temperatures peaked at 25C on 14 April, but fell to 3.6C by 23 April. Overnight frosts were fairly widespread across central Europe and the Balkan peninsula between 20 and 25 April, while parts of France, Germany and the Netherlands experienced locally severe frosts with minimum temperatures as low as -6C.

The unseasonable temperatures resulted from a large area of high pressure that developed towards the north-west and later the west of Europe, allowing colder air to sink southwards across much of the continent. Cooler conditions in late April are not uncommon, but severe frosts in late spring are rare, and can have significant effects on the agricultural industry. Several mitigation measures have been put in place in recent days to protect vulnerable early season plants from frost damage.

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Temperatures in central Europe will recover next week, with the warmest spots in Germany and Poland expecting close to 30C by Tuesday, but it will remain cool in Spain and southern France.

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