Visa introduces travel programme with premium benefits in Dubai

Dubai in the UAE is the latest city to join Visa’s Global Travel Programme, offering cardholders access to benefits and experiences in hotels, dining, retail and entertainment. The emirate was selected as a flagship destination for the initiative, alongside Paris, France and London, UK. 

The launch comes as Dubai’s tourism sector continues to expand, contributing more than AED257 billion to the UAE’s GDP in 2024, further highlighting its position as a global travel hub.  

Travel spend is also on the rise, with returning visitors to Dubai spending 45% more per trip compared to first-time travellers, according to VisaNet data. The increase is being driven by growth across multiple categories. Spending on recreational activities, including amusement parks and tourist attractions, grew by nearly 70% year-on-year, while dining and retail recorded gains of 20% and 25% respectively.

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Commenting on the rollout, Salima Gutieva, Vice-President and UAE Country Manager for Visa, said: “One of the strongest signals we’re seeing is that visitors who return to Dubai are engaging more deeply with the city, seeking out experience‑led activities. Our new programme helps amplify this by connecting Visa cardholders to passion-led experiences while supporting the merchants driving Dubai’s tourism economy.”

In addition to the UAE, Visa has introduced initiatives elsewhere in the region. The company recently partnered with Saudi Arabia to launch Visa by Profile, an online system that enables eligible cardholders to apply for and receive an e-Visa to the kingdom within minutes, using bank and passport details. Set to roll out in 2026, the project is aimed at attracting high-spending visitors to the kingdom.

For more information, visit destinations.visa.com/dubai