The sector witnessed strong growth during the first quarter of 2023
QR Code New Initiative Strengthens Holiday Home Governance in Dubai
Shaikha Al Mutawa: "Holiday home governance and digital transformation support the prosperity of Dubai's tourism sector."
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The Department of Economy and Tourism (DEMT) in Dubai continues to organise, improve and develop 'Holiday Homes' as a diverse accommodation option designed to suit the different tastes and budgets of visitors to Dubai, as part of its efforts to promote the growth of the hospitality, hotel and tourism sector in the emirate, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to make the emirate one of the top three global destinations for visitors in the fields of specialized tourism and business.
In this context, the Department revealed the adoption of the "QR Code" for holiday homes, with the aim of enhancing the governance of the sector, ensuring transparency, and raising the levels of confidence of visitors and guests.
"Holiday homes" in Dubai have witnessed strong growth during the last period, as the department's data indicates that the total number of units registered with it reached 21,132 units, providing 32,794 rooms by the end of March 2023, a growth of 45.5% in terms of the number of units, and 40.7% in terms of the number of rooms, compared to the end of March 2022, when it reached 14,518 units, with 23.29 thousand rooms. During the first quarter of this year, holiday homes received 137.14 thousand visitors.
This growth is attributed to the advanced infrastructure and the many elements that the emirate enjoys, in addition to the legislation that regulates the hospitality sector in accordance with the best practices and international standards, as well as the high demand from investors in this field thanks to the encouraging returns and income greater than the annual rent rate, in addition to the increasing demand for various accommodation options in the city, due to the presence of units with distinguished and diverse services suitable and meet all the needs of visitors, as Dubai is one of the most important tourist destinations on Globally, with unique tourism offerings and experiences, it is positioned to become the best global destination to live, work and visit.
Shaikha Al Mutawa, Director of Hospitality Affairs at Dubai Commercial Registration and Licensing Corporation (DRIC), an agency of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, said: "The Department plans, organizes and develops the comprehensive tourism system in the emirate, as well as follows up on the performance indicators of the sector, with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism development to ensure the achievement of the ambitious goals of the visions of our wise leadership, the most important of which are the objectives included in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The beginning of this year."
She added: "Holiday homes are getting a lot of attention thanks to the flexibility and multiple options they offer throughout the year. We are keen to enhance Dubai's image in the minds of international visitors, as well as investors from all over the world, and the distinctive experiences it can provide to visitors, we recognise the importance of improving the governance of holiday homes and employing the digital transformation that characterizes the emirate, to ensure the continued growth and development of the tourism sector, and to establish confidence among investors as well as guests who have chosen this unique experience to stay in Dubai."
The new initiative will ensure that all Holiday Homes in the Emirate affix a QR Code sticker on the main entrance of the unit, which confirms that it is officially licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, operated by an authorized operator, and meets all applicable standards in the emirate. The initiative will also facilitate the monitoring and inspection tasks carried out by the Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Establishment, one of the Department's institutions, to ensure that establishments comply with all procedures, in line with the digital transformation efforts adopted by the city.
For visitors and guests, the initiative will allow them to easily access all the required information about the operator, as well as important contact information, including contact information of the relevant departments of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, when necessary, by scanning the code, which enhances their experience and increases their level of confidence.
The types of residential units in holiday homes include: studios, apartments, villas in real estate complexes, as well as farms in the Hatta area, where the diversity of holiday homes provides visitors and guests with privacy and more space to spend privileged times with their families.
How-to Guide
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DEMET) in Dubai recently issued a guide to the organization of holiday homes, available on the official website of the department, which includes all information according to the regulations, technical procedures and operational processes to carry out the activity of holiday homes.
21.13K registered units for holiday homes in Dubai, a growth of 45.5%.