Strategic initiatives include customised campaigns and travel trade workshops
\nIslamabad
\nDubai\u2019s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is making significant strides to increase tourist arrivals from Pakistan, with an ambitious plan for continued growth in 2024, in line with the visionary Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 to further consolidate Dubai\u2019s status as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure.
\nWith Dubai welcoming 13.90 million international visitors from January \u2013 October 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic performance of attracting 13.50 million visitors for the same period in 2019, Pakistan currently stands among Dubai\u2019s top 10 source markets, delivering a noteworthy year-to-date visitation of 254,000 overnight visitors from January to October.
\nDET\u2019s recent series of impactful roadshow workshops for tour operators in key cities like Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Sialkot underscores its dedication to forging direct connections with the Pakistani travel industry. These workshops serve as a cornerstone in DET\u2019s strategy to redefine travel experiences and cement Dubai\u2019s position as a preferred destination. The workshops provided a platform to empower tour operators with enhanced destination knowledge, enabling them to effectively position Dubai among various traveller segments, including leisure, corporate, and incentive groups.
\nIn 2023, DET scaled its efforts in the Pakistani market with the impactful \u2018Chalo Dubai\u2019 campaign, strategically designed to elevate awareness of Dubai\u2019s diverse offerings in entertainment, gastronomy, and lifestyle propositions. Breaking new ground, the campaign\u2019s exclusive Urdu-spoken video content aimed directly at the market, showcasing Dubai\u2019s unique experiences, affordability, and family-friendly environment.
\nBader Ali Habib, Regional Head, Proximity Markets at DET, highlights the workshops\u2019 importance, stating, \u201cDubai is not just a destination; it\u2019s an immersive experience tailored to individual preferences. Our goal is to create a personal connection with each visitor, offering experiences that resonate on a deeper level. These workshops are a pivotal initiative to directly engage with tour operators, the architects of travellers\u2019 experiences. This marks our first in-market event in Sialkot and Faisalabad, demonstrating our keen interest in growing our business from these cities, given their direct connectivity to Dubai.\u201d
\nCurrently, Dubai has direct flights from 8 cities in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Multan, and Sialkot. This direct connectivity is a testament to Dubai\u2019s commitment to facilitating convenient travel for Pakistani visitors.
\n\u201cDubai is considered a second home for many Pakistanis, and we aim to build on this strong affinity, tailoring our efforts to suit multiple segments and profiles,\u201d emphasizes Habib. In addition to targeting families, DET is strategically focusing on the stop-over segment, leveraging Dubai\u2019s popularity as the most sought-after transit destination for Pakistanis traveling to the west. The goal is to showcase Dubai\u2019s offerings for short trips and layovers.
\nLooking ahead to 2024, DET plans to scale its efforts, growing its footprint in the market by expanding media and trade partnerships. \u201cOur vision is to be in the top three cities globally for tourism. Dubai offers not just luxury but a rich cultural experience. We promise Pakistanis brand new itineraries with attractions unexplored in previous visits and want every visit to Dubai to be unforgettable.\u201d
\nAs part of their ongoing strategy, DET is tapping into the wedding season in Pakistan, targeting couples and honeymooners until Q1 2024. With 254,000 Pakistani visitors from January to October, DET is poised for further growth, reinforcing Dubai\u2019s position as the top choice for Pakistani tourists. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism invites Pakistani travellers to explore the city\u2019s diverse offerings, marking a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between Dubai and Pakistani visitors.
\nDubai aims to be the best city globally for visiting, living, and working. Recent recognitions include being named the world\u2019s best city to relocate to by Remitly, ranking first in the Tripadvisor Travellers\u2019 Choice Awards 2023 for the second year, and securing the second spot in the Conde Nast Travellers\u2019 \u2018Where to Travel Next 2023 Hot List.\u2019 Dubai also topped the 2023 Executive Nomad Index for remote workers and is part of the UAE, named the second safest country in 2023 by Numbeo. The city\u2019s commitment to excellent service across all touchpoints reinforces its status as a prime global destination for visiting, living, and working.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Strategic initiatives include customised campaigns and travel trade workshops Islamabad Dubai\u2019s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is making significant strides to increase tourist arrivals from Pakistan, with an ambitious plan for continued growth in 2024, in line with the visionary Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 to further consolidate Dubai\u2019s status as one of the top […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":373985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-373959","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n