TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
According to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the city has achieved 32 per cent year on year growth in number of visitors. Reports show that Dubai welcomed 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021, and international arrivals in the fourth quarter of 2021 grew to 3.4 million, showcasing a strong growth level since 2020.
Experiential travel is gaining global attention, specifically after the intensity of pandemic has reduced and travel restrictions have been eased. Experiential travel is a form of tourism in which travellers immerse themselves by actively engaging with key aspect of the destination. For example, engaging meaningfully in a destination’s heritage, culture, people, food and environment.
According to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the city has achieved 32 per cent year-on-year growth in number of visitors. Reports show that Dubai welcomed 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021, and international arrivals in the fourth quarter of 2021 grew to 3.4 million, showcasing a strong growth level since 2020. This growth has been facilitated by the Dubai government’s handling of the pandemic and the safety experienced by tourists and residents. In addition, Expo 2020 has also boosted the city’s tourism industry. UAE’s rich culture and history, various attractions, its food, diverse multinational community, and the warmth of the local people, creates a refreshing and memorable experience for tourists.
Experiential travel is a key feature of the modern tourist. According to a 2022 report by Microsoft, 73 per cent of travelers’ state that it is very or fairly important for them to have new experiences when traveling in 2022 and beyond. 69 per cent say trying out new food and 63 per cent say learning about the history and culture of the destination is very important to them.
Experiential travellers seek to build deeper connections to the people, traditions, and customs of the places they are visiting and seek travel experiences that resonate on a deep emotional level. In Dubai, there are multiple authentic experiences that involve taking in the city’s beauty, interacting with the culture, experiencing the heritage, and meeting citizens and other people who have made the city their home. From dune bashing in the desert to visiting the Spice Souk with its aromatic smells, Dubai offers sensory experiences which capture the imagination of its visitors. Furthermore, through visiting sites such as Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood or sampling Emirati cuisine, Dubai provides a transformative and indulging experience to those that wish to travel to truly immerse themselves into a city’s local culture and history.
While globally renowned for its shopping malls and unique experiences such as Ski Dubai, which make Dubai a tourist’s haven, the more history and culture-oriented activities leave just a strong, lasting impression on travellers. The emergence of Dubai’s art scene with attractions such as The Majlis Gallery or street art in Karama is a testament to this. To support this, the Dubai government is implementing innovative approaches to enhance the tourist experience. For example, the Department of Economy and Tourism worked with PocketGuide and VoiceMap to develop to offer multilingual digital culture, arts, and heritage-led tours for people to explore the city.
