Top officials of Dubai Tourism and Dubai Land Department during the signing ceremony.

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Dubai has an incredible global appeal. Tourists from all over the world flock in millions to this emirate to enjoy the beautiful sunshine, sand and sea. No wonder the city is a big draw, as it is considered the world's most inspiring destination. It is the most visited city in the region.

With its iconic tower block Burj Khalifa and even the other architectural wonder Burj Al Arab, apart from its magnificent highrises and hotels, it offers everything under the sun to cater for the resident with a whole lot of fun – and relaxation.

Little wonder then that it tries to constantly upgrade its services and make the tourist so comfortable that he keeps coming back for more pampering. It not only boosts tourism and entertainment, its property sector development is also noteworthy.

In this connection, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Promotion and Real Estate Investment Management Sector of Dubai Land Department (DLD), as part of a strategic alliance for enhancing cooperation and mutual facilitation of their business ecosystems. Under the MoU, both entities will work together to identify appropriate platforms to promote Dubai as a destination for tourism, entertainment, and events, while also further enhancing Dubai’s real estate sector.

The MoU was signed at the Dubai Tourism offices by Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) and Majida Ali Rashid, CEO, Promotion and Real Estate Investment Management Sector, DLD.

The signing ceremony was attended by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, and Sultan Bin Mejren, Director General of DLD, along with several officials from both Departments.

The agreement outlines plans for both entities to enhance the Emirate’s position as a trade hub and stimulate a unique investment environment by promoting real estate projects, organising, and hosting key trade exhibitions, and participating in international conferences.

The MoU aims to offer wide-ranging support to companies as they establish their offices in Dubai, including reviewing legislation to integrate and elevate business standards as well as equipping them with the right infrastructure, events, and expertise.

It also promotes the exchange of information, expertise, and continuous coordination to protect the intellectual property of both entities.

Commenting on the signing, Helal Saeed Almarri said: “Dubai Tourism continues to strengthen its ties with various government entities to promote Dubai’s extensive destination proposition to investors and leisure visitors, while also encouraging them to attend various international conferences, events, and exhibitions.

The signing of this MoU is a crucial step towards coordinating and consolidating our efforts to effectively leverage Dubai Tourism’s global marketing campaigns and the experience of DLD in promoting one of the city’s key economic sectors throughout the year.”

Sultan Bin Mejren said: “The new MoU will be beneficial for both departments, especially since its ultimate goal is to strengthen Dubai’s image as one of the most important investment havens and tourist destinations among major global cities.  The MoU comes as part of our continuous efforts to explore cooperation opportunities with various government entities to improve joint government work, and provide our services according to the highest standards of performance for our customers as well as optimally benefit from the opportunities to promote Dubai’s brand.

We achieve this by highlighting all of Dubai’s principles and strengths to the global audience, especially the targeted groups looking for meaningful opportunities.

The MoU aims to integrate efforts between the two departments and represent Dubai in the best possible way to highlight its distinctiveness, competitiveness, and unique characteristics from a wider perspective.

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate. Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector.

It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. Dubai Tourism’s ongoing initiatives and continuous engagement across the USA is supported by a robust schedule of trade roadshows, media familiarisation trips and broadcasts to increase awareness in the market.

In addition to Expo 2020 Dubai, the Dubai Tourism stand featured industry partners Emirates Airlines, Emirates Vacations, Arabian Adventures, Emaar Entertainment, and Emaar Hospitality.

In line with the UAE’s efforts of making the country one of the best tourism hubs in the world, Dubai has allowed international hospitality brands to enter the market, to bring up more properties to meet the growing demand for rooms specially in the wake of upcoming mega event, Expo 2020 Dubai, when the world will converge on Dubai and experience the unbelievable wonders the emirate has created.

Dubai’s tourism industry closed a successful decade at the end of 2019, welcoming an all-time high 16.73 million international overnight visitors, an impressive 5.1 per cent increase in tourism volumes, definitively surpassing the global tourism growth forecast by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation by over one per cent.