Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The US travel firm Tripadvisor’s first Travellers’ Choice Awards for Destinations reported on Wednesday that Dubai is the most popular destination for 2022.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reacting to the report tweeted “Dubai.. The best-rated destination in the world in Tripadvisor's 2022 Travellers' Choice Awards.. Our home will always be yours.”

According to a 12-month study of traveller reviews and ratings over the period between Nov.1, 2020 and Oct.31, 2021, Dubai got the highest rank and was the most-favoured spot all around the world.

By this rating, Dubai excelled the iconic city of London, according to Tripadvisor.

In 2020, the UAE lifted the ban and eased the restrictions imposed by the authorities due to COVID-19 pandemic and since then, the emirate of Dubai witnessed an increase in visitors’ numbers.

The report showed that the coming flights to Dubai increased during the last quarter of 2021, enhanced by great events, including Expo 2020 Dubai.

Justin Reid, Director of Media, Destinations and Travel at Tripadvisor, told CNN that Despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dubai managed to attract visitors from all around the globe in 2021 and was ranked as the travellers’ favourite destination.

Tourism sector plays a great role in Dubai’s local economy, with its GDP contributions worth more than Dhs150 billion, equaling $40.8 billion as of 2017.

London came the second on the list which also included Cancun, Mexico; Bali, Indonesia; Crete, Greece; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Istanbul, Turkey; Paris, France and Hurghada, Egypt.