Dubai's Plans To Welcome Touristsin July Might Be Postponed To September

In 2019, Dubai has been visited by more than 16.7 million tourists. The prosperous start into 2020 for Dubai’s tourist industry cameto a grinding hold in March. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, the UAE cancelled all tourist visas and is still subject to severe travel restrictions. Not only due to the strict limitations issued by the UAE, but also in accordance to the travel bans and restrictions form other countries around the globe.

Considering that the tourism industry made up around 11.5% of the country’s gross domestic product, the government now has to balance between the general safety of the public on the one hand and tackling the huge negative impact on its economy on the other hand. For those who plan to visit Dubai for pleasure – for instance to enjoy a romantic holiday after getting to know each other on a casual dating website – may only be able to do so from September onwards.

Initially, a gradual reopening of Dubai as a holiday destination was planned to take place around July of this year. The problem not only the UAE but every country in the world is facing when dealing with this pandemic: Nobody really knows how this intranational crisis will further develop.

Dubai is fortunately in the process of relaxing lockdown restriction since April 24. Shopping outlets and restaurant are once again permitted to provide service to their customers. Upholding strict safety measures and guidelines (for instance, wearing masks, gloves and keeping a safety distance) are of course mandatory.

Covid-19 and its effect on Dubai’s tourism sector

The gradual emergence from the lockdown is a great relief not only for public life, but also for the many business owners and employees. As for the hotel and travel industry, things still look devastating. With zero new arrivals, the tourism industry is at a complete halt. And although the government has introduced various measures to support the sector – such as cutting down the municipality fees up to 50% –thesituation remains grim. Even measures like the rolled-out stimulus package from the UAE’s central bank, which supports the tourism sector with lower interest rates and penalty-free loan rescheduling, seem like drops of water on a hot stone.

Dubai’s tourism industry is ready for action

The Director General of DTCM (Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) –HelalAl Marri – stated in an interview with Bloomberg TV that the opening process for tourist activity could be delayed until September. He further said:

“Many international airports remain closed and really it’s about the bilateral discussions underway to have a coordinated approach to reopening.”

Nevertheless: ‘Optimism’ is the name of the game for UAE’s tourism and travel sector. Sir Tim Clark – President of Emirates Airlines– confirmedthat the airline is ready for take-off within a 48 hours’ notice. Of course, the travel conditions will not be the same as for the estimated 58 million passengers the airline transported to and from Dubai in 2019. Air transportation in the post-Corona era will show a changed travelerbehavior. The focus will be on more independent travelers instead of group travels and most of all on heightened health and hygiene measures across all destinations. It is a given that without an effective vaccine against Covid-19 the travel industry will keep on facing very turbulent times. Until then, Corona virus testing facilities, different quarantine regulations depending on each country and social distancing laws will dictate our capability to cross borders.

The situation for hotels in Dubai is bone-breaking

September is a long way to go for any hotel in Dubai without one single guest. The above support measures from the government will certainly help. But it is quiteobvious that not every hotel will hit the ground running once the lockdown is fully lifted. On the contrary. Especially the smaller hotels will struggle to stay afloat.If things go as planned, Dubai will only gradually reopento tourists. In consequence the ratio between guests and available hotel rooms in Dubai will be the definition of the term ‘out of balance’.

But even in sight of this scenario, the director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing ruled out any interference of the government in this matter. He stated:

“The hotel sector is not interested in the government controlling supply or pricing of hotel rooms. Investors in hotels definitely have expertise and experience to make their own decisions.”

It is a matter of fact that all our lives will change once this crisis is over. However, it is also a fact that Dubai has mastered the art of innovative adaptation and will for sure come out stronger.