Sheikh Hamdan highlights Dubai tourism priorities

Dubai will continue strengthening its tourism sector through closer public-private collaboration, investment support and measures aimed at improving resilience, according to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.

In a post on X, Sheikh Hamdan said: “During a review of the Department of Economy and Tourism’s operations and plans to strengthen economic resilience and accelerate growth, I stressed the importance of public-private sector integration in driving investment, economic growth and Dubai’s global competitiveness.”

He added that Dubai would continue supporting the economy and tourism sector through “practical measures, enhanced facilitation and innovative solutions” designed to strengthen future readiness and adaptability.

The review comes as Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to recover following disruption to regional travel flows earlier this year linked to the Iran conflict.

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The latest comments build on a series of support measures introduced by Dubai in recent months to bolster tourism, hospitality, aviation and related sectors. 

In May 2026, Dubai approved a second AED1.5 billion (US$410 million) economic support package, bringing the total value of relief measures announced over a two-month period to AED2.5 billion (US$680 million). The package included exemptions from Tourism Dirham charges, municipal fees on hotel rooms and restaurants, permit and licence fees for holiday homes, as well as fee waivers linked to events, exhibitions, conferences and sporting activities.

Additional aviation support included a 50% reduction in fees for renewing civil aviation activity permits, alongside deferred payments and selected fine exemptions across transport-related sectors.

The measures followed an earlier AED1 billion (US$262 billion) support package introduced in March, which included three-month deferrals on hotel sales fees and Tourism Dirham charges until 30 June 2026.

Dubai’s focus on tourism and investment comes against a backdrop of continued economic growth. The emirate’s economy expanded by 5.4% in 2025, with GDP exceeding AED937 billion (US$255 billion), according to figures reviewed by the Dubai Executive Council earlier this year.

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