UAE hospitality sector revenues up by 50% as coolest winter drive ends

The UAE Government Media Office announced the success of the second edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on December 2021.

The campaign promoted tourism, natural sites and entertaining destinations and experiences across the seven emirates of the UAE. Achieving qualitative results for national economy, and a marked increase in the domestic tourism, the campaign raised the revenues of hotel establishments to Dhs1.5 billion, compared to Dhs1 billion in its first edition last year, marking an increase of 50%.

In its second edition, the campaign also raised the number of domestic tourists from 950,000 to 1.3 million, an increase of 36% over the first edition of the campaign. While the occupancy rate of hotel establishments during this period reached 73%, compared to 66% in 2021, recording an increase of 7% over the occupancy rate, comparing to the first edition of the campaign in 2021.

The campaign recorded a remarkable turnout and participation on social media, achieving more than half a million interactions from around the world on different platforms, while the reach rate exceeded half a billion. Also, It was accompanied by more than 87 media interviews and 53 press releases, while the #WorldsCoolestWinter hashtag was used in more than 71,000 photos and videos on social media.

More than 260 promotional videos for the campaign were produced by the UAE Government Media Office, while 106 content makers submitted 175 videos about the campaign, which collectively achieved 129 million views. The campaign proved once again the advanced position of the UAE as a major tourism destination in the world, highlighting its beauty, the spirit of its people and their authentic human values and warm hospitality.

The World’s Coolest Winter was launched locally on the 15th of December 2021, and was implemented by the UAE Government Media Office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and various entities concerned with tourism, culture and heritage, aiming to highlight the various tourism destinations in the country. The campaign succeeded once again in introducing UAE’s beautiful nature, culture, heritage, history, architecture and landmarks, to local and international audience and to highlight the distinguished tourism experience in each of the seven emirates.

Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said that launching initiatives, such as the World’s Coolest Campaign which strengthens internal tourism, is a main pillar and engine for economic development within the projects of the next 50 years, adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, He added, “The different activities during the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign have shown the UAE’s landmarks and destinations in a new way, by introducing visitors to the UAE’s unique tourism potential, providing them with the opportunity to enjoy natural beauty, tourism services, rich cultural, historical and environmental heritage, and to undergo exceptional experiences during the winter vacation.”

Belhoul indicated that the UAE, through its unique tourist, heritage and urban attractions, has become one of the most preferred destination for tourists from all over the world. Adding that: “The World’s Coolest Winter campaign has contributed to supporting the tourism sector and increasing its growth, which reflects the flexibility and the safe environment that characterizes the economy and tourism sector in the UAE.”

He concluded: “We will continue to promote domestic tourism, as we believe it is a strategic axis of the national economy and development journey. the Emirates Tourism Council, will continue in presenting plans and enhancing efforts, through coordination and joint work with all stakeholders in the tourism sector, to double the results that have been achieved, by 2030.”

Saeed Al Eter, the Chair of the UAE Government Media Office, said that the UAE driven by its rich, highly equipped and efficient heritage, entertainment and cultural components and destinations, is now considered one of the most sough-after destination in the regional and global tourism industry.

He added: “The World’s Coolest Winter campaign, and its success in achieving record numbers, reflects the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also represents the country’s impressive success in highlighting its unique tourism capabilities, and the confidence of the world in the UAE tourism product.” Al Eter also noted the importance of coordinated efforts in the success of the campaign through the cooperation of partners in the tourism authorities of various emirates, contributing to the great success of the campaign that was warmly received by local, regional and international media.

As part of celebrating mild weather and tourist destinations in the UAE, the campaign also witnessed the launch of “Let’s Make Their Winter Warmer” campaign, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Network of Regional Food Banks and YouTuber Hassan Suleiman “Abu Fella”. This campaign contributed to raising $11.5 million donated by 155,000 donors from 120 countries around the world, for the benefit of 110,000 refugee and displaced families and disadvantaged families in the Arab region and Africa, enabling them to overcome harsh winter and secure their basic needs.

The initiative was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous live broadcast (video) of 268 hours,.and the largest number of direct views in one moment for a humanitarian campaign via YouTube, with total of 700,000 views at the same time. also, the humanitarian initiative recorded more than 800 local, regional and international media coverage, reaching 20 million people, and 163 million views, while 29,258 people interacted with the campaign directly on social media.

WAM